BOX SCORES: vs. Chico State | vs. Sonoma State | vs. Cal State San Marcos

TURLOCK, Calif. — The Dominican University of California women's softball team had a tough opening day of its 2011 season, dropping a trio of games in the first day of the Mizuno Best of the West Invitational hosted by Cal State Stanislaus.

The Lady Penguins fell in the first game 7-0 to Chico State. The Wildcats (1-0) struck early with a run in each of the first two innings and grew the lead to 4-0 in the fourth and fifth innings before blowing it open in the seventh inning with three runs.

In game two, Sonoma State needed just five innings to record the 8-0 victory. The Seawolves led just 2-0 going into the fifth inning but exploded for a six-run fifth inning.

The Lady Penguins dropped a third consecutive game 15-1 against Cal State San Marcos. The Cougars (4-0) struck early and often, tallying five runs in the first, two more in the second, and eight runs in the fourth.

Dominican hit just .133 on the day. Freshman Crystal Albert went 2-for-6 on the day with a run to pace the Lady Penguin offense.

Junior Jessi Saaty pitched a complete game against Chico State and but was charged with two of the team's losses on the day. Fellow junior Shawna Robb took the loss against Sonoma State.

The Dominican women head right back to the diamond on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6 in the second and final day of the Mizuno Best of the West Invitational. They face host Cal State Stanislaus at 11:15 a.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. game versus San Francisco State.