Le Moyne Athletics : Softball NCAA Championship game one story from Syracuse Post-Standard (by Tony Paul)

May 19, 2006

Le Moyne battered in NCAA tourney
Friday, May 19, 2006
By Tony Paul
Contributing writer, Syracuse Post-Standard (http://www.syracuse.com/ )

Direct link to story: http://www.syracuse.com/localcolleges/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1148030081144470.xml&coll=1

Salem, Va. - Le Moyne College softball coach Ken King wasn't in the mood to make an opening statement to reporters following Thursday's game. Perhaps that was because Florida Southern College's opening statement said it all.

The Moccasins scored six times in the first inning and two pitchers combined on a two-hitter in handing the Dolphins an 8-0 five-inning mercy rule loss to kick off the NCAA Division II Championship at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Southwest Virginia.

"I can't say it has happened to us before this season," King said. "But it's one loss, whether it's 1-0 in 14 innings or 8-0 in five innings."

It was the worst defeat of the season for Le Moyne (32-20), which hadn't been beaten by more than five runs all season. The Dolphins, though, were shut out for the sixth time in 2006, with this one sending them into the single-elimination loser's bracket.

They play at noon today against Georgia College and State University, a 9-1 loser to Emporia State in the second game of the day.

"That stuff happens to good teams . . . and it did happen," said shortstop Jennifer Winters, a senior from Vestal. "But tomorrow, Sarah (Reed) will bring her 'A' game. We don't have anything to worry about."

Reed (17-10), quiet and tearing up following the defeat, took 43 pitches to get out of that disastrous first inning. She lasted just two innings, allowing eight hits and eight runs - all earned. The sophomore from DeWitt walked one and struck out one, and actually could've fared better had it not been for some clutch hitting.

Third-ranked Florida Southern (54-6), a perennial powerhouse that was national runner-up two years ago, scored all of its runs with two out.

"We never really focus on that, but we do point that out," said Moccasins coach Chris Bellotto.

Florida Southern starting pitcher Megan Brown (29-3), a second-team All-American, earned the win with three strikeouts in three efficient innings; she didn't walk a batter. Stacey Bronson closed it with two innings of hitless relief.

Only Emma Murphy (double) and Kristen DesLauriers (single) had a hit for Le Moyne, and none of the Dolphins' three baserunners got past second base. The game breezed from there, finishing in a brief 1 hour, 14 minutes.

The Dolphins can only hope their stay in Virginia, unlike Thursday's game, isn't cut short.

"We'll bring it tomorrow," Winters said.



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May 19, 2006 Le Moyne battered in NCAA tourney Friday, May 19, 2006 By Tony Paul Contributing writer, Syracuse Post-Standard (http://www.syracuse.com/ ) Direct link to story: http://www.syracuse.com/localcolleges/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1148030081144470.xml&coll=1 Salem, Va. - Le Moyne College softball coach Ken King wasn't in the mood to make an opening statement to reporters following Thursday's game. Perhaps that was because Florida Southern College's opening statement said it all. The Moccasins scored six times in the first inning and two pitchers combined on a two-hitter in handing the Dolphins an 8-0 five-inning mercy rule loss to kick off the NCAA Division II Championship at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Southwest Virginia. "I can't say it has happened to us before this season," King said. "But it's one loss, whether it's 1-0 in 14 innings or 8-0 in five innings." It was the worst defeat of the season for Le Moyne (32-20), which hadn't been beaten by more than five runs all season. The Dolphins, though, were shut out for the sixth time in 2006, with this one sending them into the single-elimination loser's bracket. They play at noon today against Georgia College and State University, a 9-1 loser to Emporia State in the second game of the day. "That stuff happens to good teams . . . and it did happen," said shortstop Jennifer Winters, a senior from Vestal. "But tomorrow, Sarah (Reed) will bring her 'A' game. We don't have anything to worry about." Reed (17-10), quiet and tearing up following the defeat, took 43 pitches to get out of that disastrous first inning. She lasted just two innings, allowing eight hits and eight runs - all earned. The sophomore from DeWitt walked one and struck out one, and actually could've fared better had it not been for some clutch hitting. Third-ranked Florida Southern (54-6), a perennial powerhouse that was national runner-up two years ago, scored all of its runs with two out. "We never really focus on that, but we do point that out," said Moccasins coach Chris Bellotto. Florida Southern starting pitcher Megan Brown (29-3), a second-team All-American, earned the win with three strikeouts in three efficient innings; she didn't walk a batter. Stacey Bronson closed it with two innings of hitless relief. Only Emma Murphy (double) and Kristen DesLauriers (single) had a hit for Le Moyne, and none of the Dolphins' three baserunners got past second base. The game breezed from there, finishing in a brief 1 hour, 14 minutes. The Dolphins can only hope their stay in Virginia, unlike Thursday's game, isn't cut short. "We'll bring it tomorrow," Winters said.