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CONWAY, SC —- Houston Christian University opened play in the Beach Chicken Brawl with a 2-0 loss to Canisius at St. John Stadium.

The Golden Griffins picked up the only two runs of the game in the third inning. Saige Alfaro led off with a double down the left field line, and she moved to third on a Christie McGee-Ross single to second. 

McGee-Ross stole second base and Nicole Rivait lined out to short to bring up Gianna Fazzolari. The junior catcher promptly singled to right field to score both runners and give Canisius the early 2-0 lead.

Held hitless until the seventh, the Huskies would mount a two-out rally with back-to-back singles by Jasie Roberts and Mackenzie Morris. But that would be it for HCU, as Canisius' junior right-hander Megan Guise finished off her gem by fanning Autumn Sydlik to end the game. 

Junior Ronni Grofman took the loss for the Huskies, dropping to 2-2 on the season. She went six strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing the two earned runs while fanning three and walking two.

Guise tossed a two-hitter to earn the shutout win and improve to 4-3 overall. She walked two and struck out five, tossing 89 pitches. 

Saige Alfaro went 3-3 with a run scored for the Griffs, who improve to 8-5 overall.

The Huskies, now 9-11 on the season, will play twice more on Saturday. HCU faces Ohio State University at 9am, then takes on host Coastal Carolina at 2 pm.