Syracuse, N.Y. – Sophomore Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) tossed a complete game to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to an 8-1 win over Mercyhurst University in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. The Lakers recorded a 9-1 win in six innings in the opening game.

The Dolphins scored the only runs they would need in the nightcap on two hits in the first inning. Senior right fielder Kirsten Trotta (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. Dupont) drew a walk with one out and the stole second on a strikeout. Junior center fielder Sabrina Riley (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) followed with a single to left center to drive in Trotta, while taking second on the throw home. Sophomore second baseman Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) then singled through the left side to plate Riley.

Mercyhurst got one of the runs back in the top of the second on two hits and one Le Moyne error. First baseman Shannon Minihane singled up the middle with two outs, took second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a single to the left side by catcher Jamie Ward and scored as the shortstop bobbled the ball.

Le Moyne, which is ranked sixth in this week's NCAA East Region rankings, regained its two-run lead in the bottom of the second with a run on two hits. Junior shortstop Courtney Case (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) singled to her counterpart with two outs and then came around to score on a triple into the right field corner by Trotta.

The Dolphins pushed across another run in the bottom of the third via two Mercyhurst errors. Andrews reached on a fielding error by the second baseman with one out and then advanced to third on a dropped throw by the second baseman as Eastman reached on a fielder's choice. Senior first baseman Cara Cawley (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell) followed with a groundout to drive in Andrews.

Le Moyne blew the game open with four runs on four hits in the fourth inning. Senior left fielder Allison Reynolds (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) led off with a bunt single and then took second on a wild pitch. After Case singled to the shortstop again, Trotta reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Junior third baseman/designated player Kelly Mascari (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill/Buffalo) followed with a single off the wall in right to drive in Reynolds and Case, while Trotta scored on a throwing error by the right fielder. After a pair of outs, Eastman doubled off the wall in center to plate senior pinch-runner Meagan Malarkey (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott/Broome C.C.).

Eastman registered seven strikeouts, including three in the sixth inning with the bases loaded, to earn her Northeast-10-leading 15th win of the season, while yielding one unearned run and scattering seven hits. Case and Riley each recorded two of Le Moyne's nine hits in the game. Carly Konopka took the loss after giving up eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits over three-plus innings.

In the opening game, the Lakers jumped on the Dolphins with two runs on two hits in the first inning. Third baseman Cassandra Egelston walked on 11 pitches to open the game, moved to second on a single to center by center fielder Rachel DiBartolomeo and took third on a sacrifice bunt. Second baseman Courtney Brothers then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate Egelston. Left fielder Tawny Godin followed with a double to right center to knock in DiBartolomeo.

Mercyhurst doubled its lead in the third inning on three hits. Egelston was hit by a pitch to start the frame and advanced to second on a single through the right side by DiBartolomeo. After a bunt single by designated player Allison Yule to load the bases, Brothers doubled to left center to knock in Egelston and DiBartolomeo and force a Le Moyne pitching change.

Le Moyne broke through with one run on two hits in the bottom of the fifth. Andrews led off with a double to right, took third on a groundout and scored on a two-out single through the left side by Cawley.

Mercyhurst delivered the final margin by scoring five runs on three hits in the sixth inning. Catcher Francesca Costanzo led off with a walk and was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Nicolette Tomani. After a walk by shortstop Taylor Jezuit and a sacrifice bunt, DiBartolomeo singled to right center to drive in Tomani and Jezuit. Yule then blasted a two-run home run to right field. After Brothers walked, Godin drove her in with a double to right center.

Senior righty Toni Secreti (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Westhill/Herkimer C.C.) suffered the loss in the circle after allowing four runs on five hits over two-plus innings. Anna Cochis earned her fifth victory of the year after allowing just the one run and two hits over six innings.

Le Moyne (26-14) returns to action on Saturday with a doubleheader against Adelphi University at 12:00 p.m. The contest against the Panthers scheduled for Friday has been moved to Sunday at 12:00 due to expected inclement weather on Friday. Prior to the first pitch on Saturday, the senior class of Malarkey, Reynolds, Cawley, Secreti, Trotta and Mackenzie Dreher (Hinckley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) will be honored by the Dolphin Athletic Association for their contributions to the program.