The Parkland softball team had to make some adjustments before playing at Nazareth last Thursday afternoon. The Trojans were coming back from a 3-0 trip to Disney, and also 70 degree weather.

The brisk temperatures did not seem to affect Parkland, as they remained undefeated to start the young season, and won their first conference game by an 11-1 score.

"We went down there (Florida) and we didn't know what we were expecting," said junior catcher Jordy Augustus. "It was good for us because it forces you to think that everybody is on a level playing field. We hit the ball from the top to the bottom of the lineup. Everyone off the bench contributed. Our pitchers did well, and we just made the plays."

Parkland belted out 16 hits, and used a five-hit, one-run, complete game effort from junior pitcher Morgan Rentzheimer to comfortably ease back to Lehigh Valley Conference softball.

"It's definitely important to win your first conference game," said Augustus. "We wanted to start off hot and get things going early. Coming out and getting a nice win against Nazareth is important. Now we're just striving to get one win at a time."

Augustus finished the day 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base. The Trojans offense may have been fueled by sophomore left fielder Madison Marshall, who also went 3-for-4. Marshall laced a double to the fence in right center field that scored Emma Varrato, and gave Parkland a 1-0 lead at the top of the first.

Marshall then capped a three-run fourth inning with a two-run home run. She was a triple away from hitting for the cycle.

"I really think that our coaches are doing a great job working with us," said Augustus. "We do a ton of hitting at practice, whether it is live, off a tee or a machine. Our coaches are very good about breaking down our swings and making sure everything is individualized. We do get a lot of reps."

Junior third baseman Lexi Oakley contributed two hits, going 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI. Junior second baseman Kelly Gruber also tallied an RBI.

On the mound, Rentzheimer was never really troubled. A runner only passed second base twice, and the lone Blue Eagles run came off two wild pitches in the final frame.

"She's got a nice two-seam fastball, which is her go-to pitch," Augustus said. "She uses that a lot when we're ahead in the count and it has really been working well for her. Her work ethic is what makes her so successful."

Everyone joined in on the fun in the latter innings. Sophomore Sydney Stibitz led off the seventh with a single. She later scored on a one-out hit by senior Sarah Karmosky.

Freshman Taylor Knappenberger singled in the next at bat. After a walk to Jordan Hoffman, Emily Stagaard hit a two-run single with the bases loaded, that brought the Parkland lead to 11-0.

While the weather in the Lehigh Valley has forced teams to play minimal games so far, the Trojans were able to play a total of five games, two of which were exhibitions. The work put in so far this season looks to give Parkland an advantage moving forward.