Due West, S.C. – Sophomore pitcher Sarah Harrison (Cobleskill, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) struck out nine and threw a five-hit shutout to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a split of a doubleheader with Erskine on Saturday afternoon at the EC Softball Complex. Erskine took the opening game, 4-2, and the Dolphins registered a 2-0 win in the nightcap.

In the second inning of the opener, Erskine scored a run on two hits and two Le Moyne errors. Right fielder Bailey Thornton reached on an error by the shortstop to open the frame. Catcher Ashlyn Hicks then singled with Thornton moving to third on an error by the left fielder. After Thornton was thrown out at home as shortstop Whitney Brown reached base, first baseman Colleen Gardner doubled to left center to drive in Hicks.

Le Moyne answered with a run on one hit and an Erskine error to tie the score in the top of the third inning. Sophomore left fielder Sarah Tram (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) led off with a single and advanced to second on an error by the shortstop as senior second baseman Kelcie Cashel (Lacona, N.Y./Sandy Creek) reached base. After senior catcher Morgan Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) drew a walk to load the bases, senior shortstop Barb Shea (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) worked a walk to force in Tram.

The Flying Fleet regained the lead with a run on one hit in the bottom of the third. Designated player Larissa Shannon was hit by a pitch with one out, advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a passed ball. Following a walk and an out, Hicks doubled to plate Shannon, but center fielder Morgan Purcell was thrown out at home trying to score from first to end the inning.

Erskine tacked on two insurance runs on three hits in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Shannon drew a walk to open the frame and Purcell followed with a double. Following an out, Hicks singled to knock in Shannon. Brown then singled to score Purcell from third.

Le Moyne scored one run in the bottom of the seventh, but was unable to cut into its deficit any further. Edmondson doubled with two outs and came around to score on a double by Shea.

Sophomore Erin Batson (Poland, N.Y./Poland) took the loss in the circle for the Dolphins after yielding four runs on nine hits, while striking out three batters. Heather Richey picked up the win after registering six strikeouts, while giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits.

In the nightcap, the Dolphins scored the only run they would need on two hits in the top of the third inning. Senior left fielder Kristin Brown (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) led off with a single and came around to score on a two-out double by Edmondson.

Le Moyne added an insurance run in the sixth inning. After Edmondson singled with one out, junior third baseman Fran Kiernan">Fran Kiernan (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) doubled to plate Edmondson.

Harrison registered her fourth victory of the campaign after striking out a season-best nine batters and not letting a runner past second base. Katherine Mulzer suffered the loss after giving up the two runs on seven hits, while striking out seven.

Le Moyne (4-8) returns to action on Friday, March 16 at Dowling at 3:00 p.m.