Lowell, Mass. – The Le Moyne College softball team split a pair of Northeast-10 Conference games on Thursday afternoon at UMass Lowell's River View Field. The Dolphins lost their opening game of the day, 5-4, in nine innings against the River Hawks. In their nightcap, the Dolphins defeated Franklin Pierce, 5-1, in five innings.
In the opening game, the Dolphins struck for two unearned runs on three hits and two UMass Lowell errors in the top of the first inning. Junior designated player Kelcie Cashel (Lacona, N.Y./Sandy Creek) singled to lead off the game and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior shortstop Barb Shea (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa). Following a single to third base by junior catcher Morgan Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City), junior center fielder Demetra Kermidas (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) singled through the left side to load the bases. Freshman Sarah Harrison (Cobleskill, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) then reached on a fielder's choice as Cashel was thrown out at home, while Edmondson scored from second on an error by the catcher and Kermidas crossed the plate on an error by the right fielder.
The River Hawks evened the score with two runs on two hits and a Le Moyne error in the bottom of the third inning. Center fielder Ashley Daniels reached on bunt single with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After shortstop Meagan Guy walked, Daniels scored her team's first run by stealing home. Following a single up the middle by second baseman Krista MacKenzie, a pop out and a walk by pitcher Elyssa Boris to load the bases, catcher Lindsi Panarelli walked to force in Guy.
The Dolphins regained the lead with a run in the top of the fifth, but UMass Lowell answered with a run in the bottom of the frame. Cashel led off the fifth with a walk, moved to second on a ground out and came around to score on a double to left by Edmondson. In their half of the inning, the River Hawks got a run as Boris stole home with two outs after leading off with a double to right center and moving to third on a ground out.
Le Moyne took the lead again in the eighth inning with a run on three hits. Kermidas doubled, Harrison was hit by a pitch and freshman Liz Weber (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Senior left fielder Amanda Daum (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) followed with a single to center to drive in Kermidas. Reliever Rachel Schafler then got a line out and a pair of pop outs to get out of the jam.
The River Hawks tied the score for the final time with a run on two hits in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs, Daniels doubled to center field to start the rally. Guy then singled to drive in Daniels.
In the bottom of the ninth, first baseman Heather Ross blasted a walk-off solo home run to right field to lead off the inning.
Harrison took the loss after giving up five runs on eight hits over eight innings pitched, while striking out eight batters. Kermidas recorded four of Le Moyne's 10 hits, while Edmondson and Weber each had two hits. Boris earned the winning after yielding three runs (one earned) on seven hits over seven innings covering two stints in the pitcher's circle, while striking out one.
In the nightcap, freshman Vanessa Utley (Monroe, Ga./Home School) picked up her first career victory after going the distance and allowing just four hits, while striking out three. Freshman Sarah Vevante (Bethpage, N.Y./Family Foundation) led Le Moyne's eight-hit attack by going 2-for-2 at the plate. Weber added a pair of hits in the contest, including her first career home run, while Edmondson also had two hits and two runs scored.
Le Moyne (14-20, NE-10 12-10), which snapped a seven-game losing streak with the victory over the Ravens, returns to action on Friday against The College of Saint Rose at 5:15 p.m.
