OSHAWA, ON - The Durham College women's softball team made the trip south of the border in preparation for the 2023 OCAA season, winning three of four games against Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) in Michigan.

The first three games took place on Wednesday as the Lords defeated their American hosts 8-2 to open the series.

Durham scored first in the second inning and would explode for a five-run third inning and didn't look back. Emily Glendinning struck out eight batters and only allowed two runs in her outing. Sydney Redick entered the game in relief, striking out one batter and conceding one hit.

GRCC tied up the series with a 6-4 victory in the second game. The Lords faced a steep hill to climb as they were staring down a five-run deficit in the fourth inning but refused to throw in the towel as they cut the gap down to two. Morgan Salter also struck out eight batters in a four inning performance.

Winning ways were back in Durham's sights for the third game of the day, opening the scoring in the first inning after Kaleigh MacIntyre tripled, scoring two runs. The Lords continued to add to their lead in the second inning before GRCC tied it at four in the third.

A defensive error by the hosts followed up by a single from Chelsea Oke saw the Lords ahead again by three. They continued to pile on the runs en route to a 12-4 win.

In Oke's first appearance on the mound of the pre-season, she struck out five batters and surrendered four runs in five innings pitched.

On Thursday, the Lords wrapped up their trip with a 7-1 win over GRCC.

Hannah Oke and Jessica Greene were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for the Lords back-to-back in the lineup. 

Returning home with a 3-1 record in exhibition play, the Lords will continue training ahead of their season opener against the Sheridan Bruins on September 9 in a neutral site affair taking place in Hamilton.

The Lords will play their home opener on September 17 as the Fanshawe Falcons are in town for a doubleheader.