Senior Gianna Fazzolari's RBI double in the top of the first gave Canisius an early lead, but the Golden Griffins opened the 2024 season with a 9-4 setback to Charlotte Friday in collegiate softball action on the first day of the Charlotte Invitational in Charlotte, N.C.

With the loss, the Griffs drop to 0-1 to start the season. The 49ers move to 4-3.

Fazzolari doubled to left-center in the top of the first to score Christie McGee-Ross to give the Griffs the early lead.

Rosie Gomez then singled to right to score Sydney Coston to extend the Canisius advantage to 2-0.

The 49ers got on the board in the second and scored twice in the third to take their first lead of the contest. Olivia Manchester took over for Megan Giese in the top of the fourth. Giese ended the day with three strikeouts in three innings pitched.

Charlotte followed that up with a 2-run homer in the fifth to extend their lead to 5-2 before adding a grand slam later in the frame to build a 9-2 lead.

Kate Wiggins replaced Manchester in the middle of the fifth. Manchester ended with 39 pitches in 1.1 innings pitched.

Costan scored for the second time in the contest on a Gomez ground out followed up by a Giese single which scored Madysen Burkey in the sixth.

Wiggins ended the game two strikeouts in 1.2 innings pitched.

GAME NOTES
• Two freshman Ella Johel and Olivia Manchester made their collegiate debuts.
• Gianna Fazzaolari is now just 1 RBI away from 100 for her career.
• The Griffs combined for five strikeouts on the day.
• Four different Golden Griffins recorded hits with three different players scoring.

UP NEXT
• Canisius faces Charlotte once again tomorrow. First pitch of the game is scheduled for 5 p.m., with game being broadcast live on ESPN+

For complete coverage of Canisius softball, please follow @griffssoftball on Instagram and X.