LANGFORD, B.C. - Durham split their opening day with a win and a loss at the 2023 CCSA National Championship.

Placing fourth at the 2022 CCSA National Championship only one year ago, the Lords' journey to a podium finish this year began with a match-up against the top nationally ranked Western University Mustangs side.

Durham went ahead early in the top half the opening inning. Jocelyn Shelton (Aylmer, ON) scored from second thanks to a hit from Sydney Redick (Alvinston, ON) and Jessica Greene (Stratford, ON) scored when Chelsea Oke (Brooklin, ON) singled on a hard hit to left field in the next at bat.

After holding the Mustangs to no runs in the bottom half of the inning, the Lords piled on with five more runs in the second inning. It wasn't quick though, they faced two outs in the inning before putting anybody over home plate.

With Grace Hearns (Napanee, ON) and Natalie Clemens (Marmora, ON) on base, Shelton hit a tripe to put those two on the scoreboard, following by another triple hit by Greene to send Shelton home only one batter later.

Redick continued the long ball game in the inning, hitting a home run over centre field with Greene on base to make it 7-0.

Western made their way on the scoreboard with a two-run home run and that would be the last of the scoring as Durham won 7-2.

Emily Glendinning (Plattsville, ON) went all seven innings, striking out nine batters and only allowing the pair of runs. Redick went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run and three RBI's.

Shelton also impressed in the game, swinging 2-for-4 with two runs and a pair of RBI's.

Durham fell behind early in the second game as the University of Calgary Dinos scored one run in each of the first two innings. However, the Lords exploded for four third inning runs as Chloe Showers (Uxbridge, ON), Kaleigh MacIntyre (Bowmanville, ON), Hearns and Shelton scored to give the Lords a 4-2 lead.

Both sides traded off runs and eventually went into the seventh and final inning tied. Durham weren't able to generate a run in the top of the seventh, setting up Calgary for a walk-off to end the night.

With only one out, Calgary hit a single to send a runner home for the walk-off victory, allowing both teams to finish opening day with a 1-1 record.

Durham continue round robin play against the hosts, University of Victoria, on Saturday at 3:00 PM.

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