Syracuse, N.Y. - Senior shortstop Barb Shea (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) went 5-for-8 and drove in the game-winning run in the opening game to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a doubleheader split with American International on Sunday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. The Dolphins rallied for an 8-5 win in the opener, but fell, 4-3, in the nightcap.

American International opened the scoring in the game with three runs on three hits. Right fielder Laura Rousseau doubled to left center with one out, first baseman Sarah Calgreen walked and catcher Stephanie Belanger singled down the right field line to load the bases. Following an out, second baseman Erin St. Pierre walked to force in Rousseau. Designated player/pitcher Bethany Grimes then singled down the left field line to plate Calgreen. Center fielder Marlee Haigh followed by drawing a walk to force in Belanger with the third run.

Le Moyne pulled within 3-1 in the third on a pair of hits. After senior first baseman Leah Ford (Pulaski, N.Y./Pulaski) singled to left with one out, she came around to score on a double by senior third baseman Kelcie Cashel (Lacona, N.Y./Sandy Creek).

The Yellow Jackets pushed their lead to 5-1 with two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. After Belanger singled to left center with two outs to move Rousseau to third, the duo executed a double-steal for the first run of the inning. Left fielder Michele Niejadlik then doubled to right field to plate Belanger.

The Dolphins added a run on two hits in the bottom of the fifth. Cashel doubled to center with one out and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Senior catcher Morgan Edmondson (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) followed with a single to center to knock home Cashel.

Le Moyne took the lead with six runs on five hits in the sixth inning. Senior left fielder Kristin Brown (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) walked with two outs, moved to second on a single by Ford and then stole third. Cashel then doubled for the third time in the game to drive in Brown and Ford. After junior pinch-hitter Fran Kiernan (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) walked, Edmondson singled up the middle to plate Cashel. Shea followed with a single to center to drive in Kiernan with the go-ahead run and push Edmondson to third, while taking second on the throw home. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Harrison (Cobleskill, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) drove in Edmondson and Shea for the game's final runs with a single to left field.

Harrison earned the win by striking out eight over the final six innings, while allowing two runs on six hits. Cashel and Shea each had three hits, while Edmondson and Ford had two hits apiece. Grimes took the loss after giving up six runs on five hits over one and one-third innings.

In the nightcap, the Yellow Jackets plated an unearned run on two hits in the first inning. Rousseau reached on a fielding error with one out and moved to second on a two-out single by Belanger. Niejadlik then doubled to right center to drive in Rousseau.

American International extended its lead to four with three runs on three hits and one Le Moyne error in the third inning. Shortstop Haley Marchand singled to right center to open the frame, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third as Calgreen reached on an error. Belanger then singled through the left side to drive n Marchand. Niejadlik followed by driving in Calgreen and Belanger with a double to left center.

Le Moyne got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning with two runs on three hits and an AIC error. Ford singled up the middle with one out and moved to second on a single to the right side of the infield by Cashel. After Ford was safe at third on a throwing error as Shea reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases, Edmondson doubled to left center to drive in Ford and Cashel.

The Dolphins scored once on two hits and an error in the seventh inning, but left the game-tying run stranded at third base. Ford reached on an error to open the frame and moved to third on a double by Cashel. After Ford was retired at home as Shea reached second on a fielder's choice and a fly out, sophomore pitcher Vanessa Utley">Vanessa Utley (Monroe, Ga./Homeschooled) singled to drive in Cashel from third and moved Shea to third. However, AIC pitcher Kristen Dolan induced a fly out to end the game.

Harrison suffered the loss after giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits over two and one-third innings pitched, while striking out four. Cashel, Shea and Utley each posted two hits in the contest. Dolan earned the win after yielding three runs (two earned) on nine hits over seven innings.

Le Moyne (6-18, 2-4 NE-10) returns to the diamond on Wednesday at Pace at 3:00 p.m.