The Big Green (1-13, 0-0 Ivy) was outscored by opponents 54-9 over the eight games from March 18-24.
"We played some of the best competition our program has ever seen during our Florida trip this spring," co=captain Christy Autin '10 said. "We played quite a few teams in the top 25, and we know that our pitchers can throw against anyone out there."
After a slow February start to the season at the Buzz Classic Softball Tournament in Woodstock, Ga., Dartmouth looked to gain momentum as it heads into its tight Ivy League schedule next month as the reigning North Division champions.
"I think we've made big strides since we started out in Georgia in February," Autin said. "There have been flashes of greatness from this team so far and it's only going to get better as we progress into the Ivy season this weekend."
The Big Green offensive output, however, has been less than stellar, averaging just 1.50 runs per game this season, a drop from last year's average of 4.22.
Despite offensive struggles, the eight-game stretch showcased strong individual performances on both sides of the plate for Dartmouth.
Opening its road trip against Long Island University, Dartmouth was unable to best Blackbird pitcher Blaire Porter, who limited the Big Green to zero runs and two hits while striking out nine.
After four solid shutout innings of work from pitcher Hillary Barker '12, the Blackbirds finally broke through with three runs in the fifth, off of three singles, en route to a 3-0 win.
The following day, the Big Green began the University of South Florida Invitational tournament with a 4-2 loss to No. 18 Oklahoma State University and was then shut out by the University of North Florida, 3-0.
Against OSU, Dartmouth got on the board early after Molly Khalil '12 drew in a run with the bases loaded after being hit by a pitch in the first. The Cowgirls, however, would rally for four runs, highlighted by doubles in the second and the sixth to cap off the victory.
Against North Florida, the Big Green loaded the bases in the second but would end up leaving runners stranded. The Ospreys responded with two singles and a double in the fourth to ice a shutout win.
On the mound, Barker and Kat Hicks '12 gave up a total of nine runs, while each pitcher struck out two.
In the second doubleheader, the women's squad was unable to stop the high-powered offense of the University of Maryland and the No. 21 University of Illinois, as the two teams pounded Dartmouth for 27 combined runs, while simultaneously limiting the Big Green's total runs scored to just five.
The Terps closed out an 11-4 win behind four crucial runs in the fourth inning, while the Fighting Illini ran away with the score early with 11 runs coming in the first en route to a blowout 16-1 victory.
Dartmouth would continue to struggle against its tournament foes, losing its third straight doubleheader to Florida Gulf Coast University by scores of 7-1 and 5-0.
In the first game, Dartmouth got on the board after co-captain Leigha Clarkson '10 singled in co-captain Nikki Yee '10 in the top of the fourth, but the Eagles soon broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning in a 7-1 rout.
Barker went for a complete game, while Yee finished 2-for-4 with one run.
In the nightcap, the Eagles capitalized on an offensive surge and Dartmouth fielding errors to jump to a five-run advantage and eventually secure a shutout win.
On the final day of competition, the women's squad appeared to be on the cusp of recording its first win of the tournament after co-captain Alyssa Parker '10 singled home Noelle Ramirez '13 in the first to take a 1-0 lead.
However, missed opportunities with runners in scoring position and fielding errors proved costly for the women's squad, who concluded the tournament with a 5-1 loss.
"What we're focusing on right now is finding the right team chemistry and communication that will pull us through the Ivy League season," Autin said. "Once we find our confidence and swagger on the field, our success will follow."
On Sunday, the Big Green was narrowly defeated by Boston University, 4-3, in the first game of a doubleheader before the Terriers sent Dartmouth to its 12th consecutive defeat with a 4-0 win in the second game.
The team will be back in action on the road with a doubleheader at No. 24 University of Massachusetts next Tuesday. The opening game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in Amherst, Mass.
