MELBOURNE, Fla. - Goshen matched its best 12-game start to a season with two wins on Thursday at the Space Coast Spring Games. They beat Florida National 5-2 and Michigan-Dearborn 8-5. They tie the 2001 and 2002 teams with the best 12-game start to a season in program history at 10-2.

Goshen vs Florida National
Olivia Gibson started the scoring against the Conquistadors in the first when her single to right scored Kaylee Kates. Later in the inning, when Bianca Diamond stole second base, Gibson stole home to make it a 2-0 game.

However, the Leafs' offense fell flat as Florida National crept back into the game. They had a run in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at two. But in the bottom of the sixth, Goshen scored three times to retake the lead. Rachel Kates and Grace Schmitt had RBI singles, and Carissa Fillingame produced an RBI groundout. Grace Schmitt held Florida National scoreless in the seventh and the Maple Leafs won 5-2.

Schmitt earned the win, allowing one earned run in three innings. Starter Shea VanScoter allowed one earned run in four innings pitched. Kaylee Kates went 3-4 with a run and a stolen base. VanScoter was 2-2 and had a run and a stolen base.

Goshen vs Michigan-Dearborn
The Leafs came back from a four-run deficit to beat Michigan-Dearborn for the second time this week.

The Wolverines scored four in the bottom of the second, with two coming off a triple from Olivia Scott. Goshen chipped away in the third when Kaylee Kates hit an RBI single and Ella Mcleod scored on a wild pitch in the fourth to make it 4-2.

Then Goshen put up a four spot in the fifth to take a 6-4 lead. Olivia Gibson hit a two-RBI double to right center and Rachel Kates added a two-RBI single to right. Michigan-Dearborn added a run in the fifth to make it 6-5, but Goshen scored twice more in the seventh from an RBI groundout by Carissa Fillingame and an RBI single to center from Jasmin Smith.

The Leafs won 8-5 and Esme Pico earned the win for 1.1 innings in relief. Grace Schmitt picked up the save, allowing no runs and just three hits in 2.2 innings. The Goshen pitchers walked only one batter in their collective seven innings.

Kaylee Kates finished with four singles for the Leafs and had an RBI and a run. Mckenzie Richardson went 3-4 and was a home run away from a cycle. She scored two runs, as did Bianca Diamond. Rachel Kates and Olivia Gibson each had two RBIs.

The Leafs (10-2) conclude their ten games in Florida on Friday when they face Florida National at 12:15 pm and St. Thomas at 4:45 pm.