MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Graduate catcher Ella Hillier (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin HS) was outstanding Friday as she amassed five hits and seven RBI as the Bentley University softball team opened the season by splitting a doubleheader with Felician University  at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. After dropping the opener 10-9 on a walk-off sacrifice fly, Bentley rebounded with a 10-3 game two win.

Hillier was two-for-three with four RBI in the opener and she had three hits and three RBI in game two. The seven RBI boosted her to third on Bentley's all-time list and moved her within five of the school record (74).

In game two, Bentley erupted for six runs in the second, most of which were unearned, to take an 8-2 lead. The six-hit inning featured a two-run double by senior first baseman Kaylee Mankins (North Attleboro, Mass./Bishop Feehan HS).

Hillier played a role in the Falcons' fast start as she had a two-run single in the first and an RBI single in the second.

In addition to the three hits from the catcher, Bentley's 13-hit attack included two apiece from senior center fielder Sam Petow (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury HS), Mankins and senior third baseman Jess Trahan (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack HS).

Sophomore Dahlia Fink (Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame HS), who gave up five hits and three runs in 4.1 innings, was credited with the win.

In the opener, Bentley allowed five runs in the first inning and was down 8-4 after five before coming alive. The Falcons rallied and took a 9-8 lead after a five-run sixth inning. Included was a bases-loaded walk drawn by Hillier and a two-run single by junior designated player Morgan Fraitzl (Bedford, N.H./Bedford HS).

Felician scored the equalizer in the sixth on a leadoff home run by junior right fielder Vienna Chierchia (Manalapan, N.J.) and walked it off on a two-out sacrifice fly by junior third baseman Daisha Howard (Westbury, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial HS) in the seventh.

Three of Bentley's eight hits came from sophomore left fielder Jordan Krause (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro HS). She scored twice as did Petow and Mankins.

The weekend trip to Myrtle Beach will continue Saturday with Bentley taking on Mercy College in a doubleheader beginning at 10 am.