Springfield, Mass. – The Le Moyne College softball team opened Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division play by splitting a doubleheader with American International College on Tuesday afternoon at Judy Groff Field. The Yellow Jackets won the opener, 3-0, while the Dolphins took the nightcap, 5-3.
 
The Dolphins got the scoring started in the nightcap with two runs on two hits in the first inning. Graduate student center fielder Kelsey Johnson (Greece, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy/Buffalo/Syracuse) led off with a single to the shortstop, took second on a bunt single by sophomore first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) and advanced to third on a walk by sophomore catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn). Johnson then scored as sophomore third baseman Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) reached on a fielder's choice. Sophomore second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Artley.

Le Moyne added a run in the second inning with one hit. Freshman designated player Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane) walked with one out and was replaced at first by freshman shortstop Alyssa Jauregui (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Scioto), who then advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. After walks by freshman left fielder Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) and Johnson to load the bases and an out, Nicolosi singled through the left side to drive in LaForce from third.

The Dolphins extended their lead to 5-0 with two runs on two hits in the third inning. McManus walked to start the frame, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. After a walk by freshman pitcher Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay), Littman grounded out to the second baseman to drive in McManus. Following a single through the left side by LaForce to advance Nichols to third, Johnson singled to right to plate Nichols.

The Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard with a run on one hit in the bottom of the third. Shortstop Yami Lopez-Perez drew a walk with two outs and came around to score on a double to right center by catcher Jamie Mainez.

American International cut its deficit to 5-3 with two runs on two hits in the fourth inning. After designated player Kaley Kempf led off with a single to right, first baseman Alexa DiLeo homered down the left field line.
 
Nichols improved to 3-1 on the season after striking out three over four innings, while yielding three runs on six hits. Senior righty Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) earned her program-record 11th career save after tossing the final three innings and striking out a pair of batters. Kayla Riley suffered the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and six walks over two and two-thirds innings.

After three scoreless innings to start the day's first game, the Yellow Jackets struck for two runs on three hits in the fourth inning. Lopez-Perez led off with a single to the shortstop and Mainez followed with a double to right center. After an out, Kempf singled to center to drive in Lopez-Perez and Mainez.

American International added a run in the fifth inning. Center fielder Lydia DePina walked with one out, moved to second on a bunt single by left fielder Bonnie Kennedy and took third on a throwing error by the third baseman on the play. As Kennedy stole second, DePina then stole home.

Eastman took the loss for the Dolphins after yielding three runs (two earned) and seven hits, while striking out six. Ariana DiCioccio earned the win in the circle for the Yellow Jackets after striking out six, while allowing just five hits.
 
Le Moyne (15-6, 1-3 NE10, 1-1 SW) returns to action on Friday at Pace University at 4:00 p.m.