New Haven, Conn. – Senior center fielder Demetra Kermidas (Binghamton, N.Y./Chenango Valley) recorded a three-run double to cap a seventh-inning rally as the Le Moyne College softball team defeated Southern Connecticut State, 4-3, in the opening game of a Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division doubleheader at Pelz Field on Saturday afternoon. The Owls hit a walk-off home run to win the nightcap, 6-4.

In the opening game, Southern Connecticut State scored first with a run on one hit in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Stacy Pouliot drew a two-out walk and then came around to score on a double to right center by designated hitter Kristie Vitulli.

The Owls doubled their lead in the sixth inning on one hit. Second baseman Kate Hoffman led off with a triple to right field and then raced home on passed ball.

Southern Connecticut State finished off its scoring in the game with a run on two hits in the sixth inning. Third baseman Alyssa Downs singled to left field with one out and then stole second base. After a strikeout, left fielder Julie Muscarella singled to drive in Downs.

The Dolphins, who won for the first time in 12 games this season when trailing after six innings, scored four runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning to win the game. Senior third baseman Fran Kiernan (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) walked to open the frame and was replaced at first by junior pinch-runner Erin Batson (Poland, N.Y./Poland). After a strikeout, sophomore catcher Kristie Capuano (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) singled to advance Batson to second. Freshman first baseman Cara Cawley (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell) followed with a single to left field to drive in Batson. Following a groundout and a walk by sophomore right fielder Stephanie Ostrander (Gansevoort, N.Y./Schuylerville) to load the bases, Kermidas doubled to drive in Capuano, junior pinch-runner Sarah Tram (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) and Ostrander.

Junior lefty Sarah Harrison (Canandaigua, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) earned the win in the circle after striking out 10 batters over seven innings, while yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits. Kelsey Cockrill took the loss for the Owls after giving up four runs on four hits and five walks over seven innings, while striking out 10.

In the nightcap, the Dolphins struck first as Kermidas blasted a two-out, solo home run to right field in the third inning.

Southern Connecticut State took the lead with four runs on five hits and a Le Moyne error in the bottom of the fourth. Muscarella doubled to left field to open the inning and then took third on a fly out. Vitulli then reached on a fielder's choice to drive in Muscarella. Following a single by right fielder Sarah Koerner and a fly out, first baseman Kristin Whitley singled to left field and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder, which allowed pinch-runner Kelly Mitchell and Koerner to score. Shortstop Kaley Marden then singled to center to drive in Whitley.

Le Moyne cut its deficit to 4-2 in the sixth with a run on two hits. Kiernan walked with one out and was replaced at first by Tram. After single by Capuano and a strikeout, junior pitcher Vanessa Utley (Monroe, Ga./Home School) singled to knock in Tram from third.

The Dolphins rallied again in the seventh inning, tying the score with two runs on two hits. After sophomore pinch-hitter Jillian Jacinth (West Babylon, N.Y./Babylon) walked to open the inning and was replaced at first by Ostrander, Kermidas launched her eighth home run of the season to tie the score at four apiece.

The Owls took advantage of a lead-off walk in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game. Following a pair of groundouts after Downs drew an inning-opening walk, Pouliot blasted a walk-off two-run home run to left field.

Utley suffered the loss in the circle after giving up six runs on 10 hits over six and two-thirds innings pitched. Kermidas finished the game with three hits, while Capuano had a pair. Yesenia Evaristo earned the win despite allowing two runs on two hits in one inning in the circle.

Le Moyne (14-17, 11-9 NE-10, 7-9 SW) continues its four-game series with Southern Connecticut State on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.