Syracuse, N.Y. – Freshman southpaw Sarah Harrison (Cobleskill, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) tossed a pair of complete-game five-hitters and drove in three runs at the plate to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a sweep of Stonehill in Northeast-10 Conference action on Sunday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. The won the opening game, 6-0, and held on for a 3-2 victory in the nightcap. With the victories, the Dolphins earn the seventh seed in this week's conference tournament and will travel to Garden City, N.Y. on Tuesday to face Adelphi at 3:00 p.m.
The Dolphins scored the only runs they would need in the first inning of the opening game. Junior shortstop Barb Shea (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) led off with a single down the left field line and moved to second on a single through the left side by freshman second baseman Liz Weber (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore). Following a sacrifice bunt, sophomore center fielder Demetra Kermidas (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) reached on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder to drive in Shea, while Weber was able to score from second base.
Le Moyne added two runs on three hits and a Stonehill error in the fourth inning. Senior left fielder Amanda Daum (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn), playing for the final time in her career at home, singled to center with one out and moved to second on a sac bunt. Freshman third baseman Sarah Vevante (Bethpage, N.Y./Family Foundation) followed with a single through the left side to drive in Daum and advanced to second on the throw home. Junior first baseman Leah Ford (Pulaski, N.Y./Pulaski) then singled to the third baseman, while Vevante was able to score on a throwing error by the third baseman.
The Dolphins capped the scoring in the game with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth. Junior catcher Morgan Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) doubled to center with one out and moved over to third on a double to right by Kermidas. Harrison then singled through the left side to plate Edmondson and Kermidas.
Harrison struck out four to pick up her 13th win and her sixth shutout of the season, while allowing just one runner to reach third base. Shea, Edmondson and Ford backed Harrison's performance in the circle with two hits each. Lindsay McKillop suffered the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits over four and one-third innings pitched.
In the nightcap, the Dolphins struck for a run on two hits and two Stonehill errors in the first inning. Weber singled to right field with one out and Edmondson followed by reaching on catcher's interference. Kermidas then laid down a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Weber to score and Edmondson to move to third.
The Dolphins scored twice on three hits in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Weber reached first on a passed ball after striking out to open the inning. After Edmondson doubled down the left field line to move Weber to third, Kermidas grounded out to the second baseman to knock in Weber. Harrison followed with a single up the middle to plate Edmondson with the eventual game-winning run.
The Skyhawks got on the board in the sixth with a run on one hit. Center fielder Courtney Marchand walked to open the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. Following a pair of outs, catcher Kelsey Wilcox singled to left center to drive in Marchand.
Stonehill threatened in the top of the seventh, but could only plate one run. Designated player Nicole Eisenmann started the rally with a one-out single to center field. Following a single to center by third baseman Brianna Gunter, first baseman Ashley Langlois reached to load the bases as the second baseman bobbled the catch on a sacrifice bunt attempt. After a foul out, shortstop Chelsea Stryker drew a walk to force in pinch-runner Christina Swider. Harrison then induced a groundout to end the game.
Harrison struck out five Skyhawks in registering her 16th complete game of the season. Weber and Harrison each had two of Le Moyne's seven hits in the contest. Samantha Krantz took the loss for Stonehill after yielding three runs (one earned) on six hits over four and one-third innings pitched.
Le Moyne (18-20-1, NE-10 16-10-1), which is unbeaten over its last six games (5-0-1), was swept by Adelphi on April 25th, 2-0 in game one and 2-1 in eight innings in game two.