Purchase, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent opened Skyline Conference play on Sunday afternoon, taking on Purchase College in a pair of games on the Panthers' home turf. The two sides split the series, with Purchase earning a game one win 3-1, followed by a 4-2 victory in favor of the Dolphins. 

UMSV is now 6-9 overall through 15 games. 

The story of the day was sophomore pitcher Gracie Laukkanen. Laukkanen, in just her 24th career appearance for the Dolphins, recorded her 100th career strikeout in the top of the sixth inning of game two. The achievement was the cherry on top of a terrific pitching performance that saw Laukkanen allow just two runs with seven strikeouts across seven innings. 

The Dolphins got things going early in game one, taking a 1-0 lead in the third on a Chloe Hart double that brought home Samantha Aviles. UMSV, however, would only score that one run, with Hart, Emma Capozucca, Carmen Henderson and Miralba Sandez each recording one hit. 

Savannah Autobee went the distance on the mound, allowing two earned runs with four strikeouts. 

The Dolphins took the early lead once again in game two, and once again it was Hart who got things going. Her bases loaded single to center field brought home Henderson for a first inning run. Aviles plated two runs with an opposite field single in the third inning, and drove home another run on a Purchase error in the fourth. The four runs scored were enough to ensure the UMSV win. 

Aviles led the charge with two hits while Henderson and Zoe Fields reached base twice as well. 

The Dolphins will continue on with Skyline play, this time taking on Mount Saint Mary on Tuesday.