North Andover, Mass. – Freshman Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) tossed a two-hitter to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a 3-1 victory over Merrimack College in the second game of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at the Warrior Softball Diamond. Merrimack won the opener in six innings, 12-2.

Le Moyne struck first in the nightcap as sophomore third baseman Kelly Mascari (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill/Buffalo) led off the second inning with a home run to left field.

The Warriors evened the score at one apiece in the bottom of the second on one hit. Designated player Samantha Harris walked with one out and moved to third on a double to right center by left fielder Valerie Bauer. Pinch-runner Breanna Dupuis then scored as first baseman Brooke Gubala reached on a fielder's choice.

Le Moyne regained the lead in the fourth inning as freshman pinch-hitter Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) blasted a solo home run to right center to open the frame.

The Dolphins added an insurance run in the fifth on one hit. Junior first baseman Cara Cawley (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell) led off with a single down the right field line and advanced to third following a pair of bunts. After a Merrimack pitching change, a fly out and a walk by Andrews to load the bases, sophomore center fielder Sabrina Riley (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) walked after falling behind 0-2 to force in Cawley.

Eastman struck out eight batters over the seven innings to record her fifth victory of the season, while yielding the one run on just two hits. Mascari was the only player in the contest to record multiple hits. Megan Cook took the loss for the Warriors after giving up three runs on four hits over four and one-third innings.
 
In the opener, the Dolphins struck first with one run in the second inning. Senior designated player Jillian Jacinth (West Babylon, N.Y./Babylon) led off with a double down the right field line and moved to third on a groundout. Junior left fielder Allison Reynolds (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) followed with a slow-rolling single down the first base line to drive in Jacinth.

The Warriors answered with three runs in the bottom of the second on three this and a Le Moyne error. First baseman Becca Armstrong was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to third on a double to left field by catcher Lindsay Gibbs. After Armstrong scored on a wild pitch, Gibbs scored as Lapierre singled to center field. Following a bunt single to third base by left fielder Brittany Razo, Lapierre scored from third on a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Courtney Ulak.

Merrimack added three more runs in the third inning on three hits and one Le Moyne error. Second baseman Samantha Waskowitz led off with a double to right center and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a walk by third baseman Kaleigh Finigan, designated player Haley Currie singled to left field to drive in Waskowitz, while pinch-runner Abby Desrosiers scored on a throwing error by the left fielder and Currie advanced to third. Armstrong then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate Currie.

The Warriors pushed their lead to 8-1 in the bottom of the fifth on two hits. Armstrong led off with a single to left and was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Dupuis. After an out, Lapierre homered to right center.

Le Moyne pushed across one run on two hits and one Merrimack error in the top of the sixth. Jacinth reached on a throwing error by the third baseman with one out and then advanced to third on a double down the left field line by senior catcher Kristie Capuano (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge). Reynolds then singled to right field to drive in Jacinth.

Merrimack ended the game with four runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Finigan was hit by a pitch and Currie followed with a single to right field. Following a walk by Armstrong to load the bases, Gibbs launched a grand slam to end the game via the eight-run rule.

Junior Toni Secreti (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Westhill/Herkimer C.C.) took the loss in the circle for the Dolphins after allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits over two-plus innings. Reynolds tallied two of Le Moyne's eight hits in the game. Alexis Perry recorded the win after yielding two runs (one earned) on eight hits over six innings, while striking out six.
 
Le Moyne (12-9, 5-6 NE-10) returns home to face American International College on Wednesday. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2:00 p.m.