New Haven, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University scored the first five runs of the game en route to a 5-3 victory over the Le Moyne College softball team in the first round of the Northeast-10 Conference Championship on Tuesday afternoon at Pelz Field.
The Owls took advantage of a pair of walks to get on the scoreboard in the third inning. Left fielder Jaime Conklin walked with one out and then shortstop Nicole Buch drew a free pass with two outs. Second baseman Giuliana D'Arcangelo followed with a single to left field to drive in Conklin.
Southern Connecticut State extended its lead to four in the fourth on two hits. Designated player Kelly Mitchell walked to open the frame and advanced to third on a two-out single by right fielder Arianne Tedeschi. After Conklin was hit by a pitch to load the bases, center fielder Sarah Koerner doubled to plate Mitchell and Tedeschi and force a Le Moyne pitching change. Conklin then raced home on a passed ball.
The Owls completed their scoring in the fifth on two hits and a Le Moyne error. After third baseman Leanna Feerick singled to left field with one out, pinch-hitter Brooke Franco singled to right field with two outs, while Feerick came around to score on an error by the right fielder.
Le Moyne cut into its deficit with three runs on two hits in the sixth inning. Junior left fielder
Allison Reynolds (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) drew a walk to open the frame and moved to second on a single to center field by freshman pinch-hitter/second baseman
Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee). After sophomore all-conference shortstop
Courtney Case (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) walked, sophomore third baseman
Kelly Mascari (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill/Buffalo) doubled to clear the bases. Southern Connecticut's Kelsey Cockrill retired the next two batters she faced to keep the lead.
Freshman all-conference pitcher
Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) suffered her fourth loss to the Owls in five days after yielding four runs (three earned) on three hits and five walks over three and two-thirds innings, while striking out seven. Cockrill recorded her third win against the Dolphins in five days after allowing just three runs on four hits over seven innings, while striking out two.
Le Moyne, which falls to 6-4 in the Northeast-10 Championship against the Owls, including losses in two of the last three years, closes out its season with a record of 18-16.
