Shirley, N.Y. – Freshman pitcher Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) struck out nine batters and drove in two runs to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a 3-2 win over Dowling College in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Golden Lions Field. The Golden Lions rallied for an 8-6 win in the opening game.

Eastman got the Dolphins on the scoreboard in the second inning of the second game by blasting a 2-1 pitch over the fence in center to open the frame. Freshman second baseman Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) followed with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Andrews scored on a triple to right center by junior left fielder Allison Reynolds (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield).

Dowling took advantage of a Le Moyne error in the bottom of the inning to get one of the runs back. Third baseman Arianna La Puma walked to lead off the inning and came all the way around to score as shortstop Victoria Gallagher reached on a throwing error by the catcher on a sacrifice bunt attempt.

Le Moyne regained its two-run lead on the third inning. Sophomore center fielder Sabrina Riley (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) singled to center field with one out and moved to second on a walk by sophomore third baseman Kelly Mascari (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill/Buffalo). After a wild pitch moved each runner up a base, Eastman lifted a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Riley.

For the second time in the game, the Golden Lions scored one run without getting a hit in the fourth inning. Center fielder Crystal Tarango reached second on an error by the right fielder to start the inning. After going to third on a sacrifice bunt, pinch runner Nicole Parkas scored on a ground out by La Puma.

Eastman allowed just one hit (a single in the third inning), while striking out nine batters, to earn her second collegiate victory. Vanessa Juengerkes took the loss after giving up three runs on five hits over three innings of work.

The Dolphins opened the scoring in the first game with two runs on two hits in the first inning. After sophomore shortstop Courtney Case (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) doubled to start the game, Riley launched a one-out home run to right field.

Tarango answered in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run to left field with two outs.

Le Moyne regained its two-run advantage in the second as Andrews drilled her first collegiate home run to right center with one out.

Dowling got back within a run in the bottom of the frame. La Puma led off with a triple to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by first baseman Gianna Gatto.

After two scoreless innings, Riley connected on a two-out solo home run to left on a full count to give the Dolphins a 4-2 lead.

The Golden Lions scored six times on five hits and two Le Moyne errors in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. Second baseman Stephanie Staiano led off with a single to right field and was replaced at first by pinch runner Marie Racano. Following a sacrifice bunt by Juengerkes and a single by left fielder Tammy Vermeulan, right fielder Amber Fogarty reached on a bunt single to drive in Racano. After Tarango was intentionally walked to load the bases, catcher Samantha Laird doubled to knock in Vermeulan and Fogarty. La Puma then reached on an error by the second baseman, which allowed Tarango to score. After Laird scored on a ground out by Gatto, Gallagher doubled to left center to knock in La Puma.

Le Moyne answered back with two runs on three hits in the top of the sixth to get within 8-6, but left the tying run stranded at second base. Junior pinch hitter Mackenzie Dreher (Hinckley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) walked with one out and moved to second on a single to center by junior first baseman Cara Cawley (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell). Following an out, Reynolds singled up the middle to drive in Dreher. Case then singled through the right side to knock in Cawley. After Reynolds and Case moved up a base on a wild pitch, the Golden Lions got out of the inning with a ground out.

Redshirt junior Toni Secreti (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Westhill/Herkimer C.C.) suffered the loss after yielding eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits over six innings in the circle, while striking out two batters. Case, Riley and Reynolds each had two of Le Moyne's nine hits. Alisa Fjelstad earned the win after tossing the final five and two-thirds innings, while giving up three runs on five hits.

Le Moyne (6-2) is scheduled to open its Northeast-10 Conference and home schedule on Saturday against Saint Anselm College at 12:00 p.m.