Easton, Mass. – Senior left fielder Bailey Phillips (Rochester, N.Y./Greece-Arcadia) and sophomore third baseman Kelcie Cashel (Lacona, N.Y./Sandy Creek) each had three hits and four runs scored to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a sweep of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader against Stonehill on Sunday afternoon at Fr. Gartland Field.
In the opening game, the Dolphins scored the only runs they would need in the third inning with three runs on four hits. Following a leadoff double to right field by junior center fielder Amanda Daum (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) and a ground out, Cashel drilled her first home run of the season. Phillips then walked, but was caught stealing before senior second baseman Kelly Schweikert (Rochester, N.Y./Spencerport) doubled to left field. Schweikert came around to score on a single to right field by sophomore catcher Morgan Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City).
The Skyhawks scored once in the bottom of the fourth, but couldn't get any closer. Chelsea Stryker led off with a double to right field. Following a pair of outs around a walk, Stryker scored on a single by Katy Abarr.
Junior right-hander Jenna Vanacore (Hicksville, N.Y./Holy Trinity) picked up the win by allowing just one run on three hits over seven innings, while striking out a pair of Skyhawks. Kait Mendall took the loss after giving up three runs on six hits in seven innings, while striking out three batters.
Le Moyne opened the nightcap by scoring twice on three hits. Cashel walked and Phillips doubled to start the game. Schweikert then singled through the right side to plate Cashel and Phillips.
The Dolphins extended their lead to five runs by scoring three runs on four hits in the second. Daum singled up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt to begin the inning. Following a single and stolen base by Cashel, Phillips blasted a three-run homer to force a Stonehill pitching change.
Stonehill got one run back in the bottom of the inning on three hits. Abarr, Casey Remick and Sarah Stumper delivered consecutive singles with one out to load the bases. Ashley Langlois then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Abarr.
In the fourth frame, the Dolphins added three runs on three hits and a Stonehill error. Sophomore first baseman Leah Ford (Pulaski, N.Y./Pulaski) singled to right center to open the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Kristin Brown (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley). After Brown advanced to third on a sac bunt and a stolen base and Phillips walked, Schweikert singled to left center to drive in Brown. Edmondson then reached on an error by the first baseman, allowing Phillips to score from second base. Freshman designated player Demetra Kermidas (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) followed with a single to right to knock in Schweikert.
Le Moyne put the game away in the sixth inning with four runs on three hits and two Stonehill errors. Cashel doubled and Phillips was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Schweikert then singled to right to plate Cashel and advance Phillips to third. After Schweikert stole second, sophomore pinch-hitter Kate Waltman (Alplaus, N.Y./Niskayuna) singled to right to drive in Phillips and Schweikert. Following a fielder's choice, a walk and a pop out, Waltman scored from third on a throwing error by the catcher on a pickoff attempt.
Vanacore won her sixth straight decision and ninth in her last 10 decisions by yielding one run on seven hits in six innings in the circle. Samantha Krantz suffered the loss after giving up five runs on six hits in one and one-third innings pitched. Schweikert had three hits in the game, while Cashel, Phillips and Kermidas had two apiece.
Le Moyne (22-18, NE-10 20-10), which won 10 of its last 12 games after being swept by Southern Connecticut State on April 21, will be the third seed in next weekend's Northeast-10 Conference tournament. The Dolphins will face the sixth seed on Friday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. Full tournament details will be released by the conference office following the completion of the regular season.
