GREENWOOD----Melissa Ryals and Keri Davis hit home runs, leading new Lander softball coach Lee Dobbins to his first victory, 7-1, over Belmont-Abbey in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday. (Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box)

Belmont-Abbey won the opener, 7-5, as each team opened its season with 1-1 records. Dobbins replaced Doug Spears, who posted 803 victories in 24 years at Lander.

Ryals hit a two-run homer in the first, Davis belted a solo homer in the third, and Amber Yarborough went 4-for-4 with two doubles for the Lady Bearcats. Ashlea Burdette (1-1) pitched a complete-game five-hitter for Lander, walking four and striking out four.

Colleen Leggieri and Davis each went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Lady Bearcats while Burdette and Yarborough each drove in runs.

Jessica Inman paced Belmont Abbey in Game 2 with two hits while Erica Rutledge homered for the team's only run. Carrie Markham (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs and six hits in one and a third innings. Rutledge relieved her in the second inning.

Amy Sturch's three-run double and Rutledge's clutch relief pitching paced Belmont-Abbey in Game 1.

With the Crusaders leading 7-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Yarborough was hit by a pitch and Ryals walked to put the tying runs on base with no one out. Rutledge relieved starter Danielle Dodd (1-0) and retired the side in order to preserve the win.

Inman, Katie Hobbs and Abby Threatt each drove in runs for Belmont-Abbey in the opener.

Jenna Kellett was 1-for-2 with two RBI for the Lady Bearcats while Ryals, Davis and Burdette drove in one run apiece.

Dodd pitched six innings, allowing five runs, five hits and seven walks while striking out three. Austin Murray (0-1) took the loss for Lander, allowing seven runs, six earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out four in four innings of work. Kellett pitched three innings of shutout relief, allowing two hits and fanning four.