Syracuse, N.Y. – Freshman Demetra Kermidas (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) had two hits, scored three runs and drove in the game-winning in game one to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a split of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader with UMass Lowell on Sunday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. The Dolphins took the opener, 5-2, but fell, 8-4, in the nightcap.
The Dolphins got on the scoreboard in the first inning of game one with a run on two hits. Senior second baseman Kelly Schweikert (Rochester, N.Y./Spencerport) singled to right field with two outs and moved to second when sophomore catcher Morgan Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) was hit by a pitch. Sophomore shortstop Barb Shea (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) then singled back to the pitcher with Schweikert scoring when the pitcher turned towards second base.
The River Hawks evened the score in the second inning on a solo home run to left center by Elyssa Boris. UMass Lowell took the lead in the third inning with one run on one hit and an error. Brianna Mahoney singled with two outs to move Krista MacKenzie, who reached on a fielder's choice, to second base. Alyssa Bryan then reached on a throwing error by the third baseman, allowing MacKenzie to score.
Le Moyne responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to regain the lead. Senior Danielle VanGorder (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) reached on a throwing error by the pitcher with two outs. After junior center fielder Amanda Daum (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) singled through the left side, sophomore first baseman Leah Ford (Pulaski, N.Y./Pulaski) singled up the middle to drive in VanGorder with the tying run. Kermidas followed with a single up the middle to plate Daum and advanced to second on the throw home. Sophomore third baseman Kelcie Cashel (Lacona, N.Y./Sandy Creek) then reached on a fielding error by the shortstop that allowed Ford and Kermidas to score.
Junior righty Jenna Vanacore (Hicksville, N.Y./Holy Trinity) earned her third straight win by scattering four hits in her third consecutive complete game, while allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out four. Boris took the loss for the River Hawks after yielding five runs (one earned) on nine hits.
UMass Lowell scored three runs on two hits and a Le Moyne error to open the nightcap. Hebert led off by reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and advanced to second on a single to left by MacKenzie. After an infield fly and Hebert caught stealing third, Bryan drew a walk. Boris then drilled her program-record 11th home run of the year to center field.
The River Hawks added one run in the third inning on a pair of hits. Bryan walked to lead off the frame and moved to third two batters later on a single up the middle by Lindsi Panarelli. Heather Ross followed with a single through the left side to drive in Bryan.
The Dolphins pulled within a run in the fifth inning by scoring three times on two hits. Kermidas lined a double off the fence in left center with two outs. After Cashel drew a walk, senior left fielder Bailey Phillips (Rochester, N.Y./Greece-Arcadia) blasted a three-run homer over the fence in right field.
UMass Lowell answered back with four runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning. Pinch-hitter Hilary Hopkins singled to left field with one away. Meagan Guy followed with a two-run homer to left center to extend UMass Lowell's lead to 6-3. Hebert then singled to right field to force a Le Moyne pitching change. Junior Katelyn Fowler (Sandy Creek, N.Y./Sandy Creek) induced a ground out by MacKenzie to retire Hebert at second base. Mahoney followed with a single through the right side and advanced to second on the throw to third base. Bryan then recorded a single between the first baseman and second baseman to drive in MacKenzie and Mahoney.
In the seventh, the Dolphins scored once on a hit and an error, but could not get any closer. Kermidas reached second base on a throwing error by the pitcher to open the frame. Following a pair of ground outs that moved Kermidas to third, Schweikert singled through the left side to plate Kermidas. Boris induced a ground out to end the game.
Vanacore suffered the loss after yielding three unearned runs on two hits in two innings of work. Bryan earned her 11th win after allowing three runs on six hits in five innings in the circle.
Le Moyne (15-17, NE-10 13-9), which honored Phillips, Schweikert and VanGorder prior to game one for their contributions to the program, returns to action on Tuesday at Saint Rose at 3:00 p.m.
