Hadley May cranked out a two-run homer in the third, then finished a four-run rally with a walk-off game-winning bases-loaded walk to lift Mary Baldwin to a 6-5 victory over Wilson College in the first game of a doubleheader in Staunton Friday.  Wilson bounced back in the second game for an 11-7 triumph, but the Fighting Squirrels had already secured the best start after 10 games in team history.

The first-game victory in the doubleheader split gives MBU a 7-3 overall record, the most wins in the first 10 games in team history.  The previous record was six wins in the first 10 games, first set in 2004 when the Fighting Squirrels finished with 22 wins, a record that still stands.  MBU also started the 2023 campaign with a 6-4 mark on the way to a 19-win season.

May's third-inning two-run homer, the 30th round-tripper of her career, gave the hosts a 2-1 lead, but Wilson bounced back with four runs in the sixth to set up MBU's last-inning rally.  Cassidy Newcomb cut Wilson's lead in half with a two-run homer, and the hosts eventually worked the bases loaded.  Allison Crum evened the score with an RBI single, followed by May's free pass to win the game.  Crum and Reagan Frazier, who picked up the win in relief, each contributed twice to MBU's nine-hit attack in the first game.

In the nightcap, the offenses broke loose early, each scoring three times in the first inning.  The Phoenix (5-5) then took the lead in the second with a grand slam, and despite several challenges by the hosts, held on for the victory.  May and McKenzie Tillman each smacked out two of MBU's eight hits and knocked in two runs.

The Fighting Squirrels are currently scheduled for three home doubleheaders next week, including showdowns against Eastern Mennonite (3/11, 2 p.m.), Shenandoah University (3/13, 2 p.m.) and Randolph College (3/15, 1 p.m.).