The atypical winds and cool temperatures of Madeira Beach, Florida, could not stop the Stony Brook softball team from a red-hot start to their season on Friday, Feb. 21, erasing a five-run deficit in walk-off fashion and beating the Colgate Raiders 6-5. Their opener marks the first of five games this weekend at the annual Spring Games.

Cold, rainy weather will eventually give way to smooth, dry, green grass fields with the crack of aluminum bats and the whistling of pitches headed to home plate. Softball season is coming.