Syracuse, N.Y. – Junior right fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) had three hits, three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a sweep of American International College on Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. The Dolphins won the opener, a Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division contest, 8-0, in five innings, while taking the nightcap, a non-conference matchup, 5-0.

The Dolphins got the day's scoring started with a pair of runs in the third inning on two hits. After freshman center fielder Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) singled to the hole between second and third and took second on a sacrifice bunt, junior right fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) smacked her team-best sixth home run of the season off the scoreboard in right center.

Le Moyne tripled its lead with four runs on three hits in the fourth inning. Senior designated player/third baseman Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) walked to start the frame and came around to score on a double to center by DeRita, who took third on a throwing error by the shortstop. Senior pitcher Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) followed with a single down the right field line to drive in DeRita. Two batters later, sophomore second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) blasted her fourth home run of the campaign over the fence in center.

The Dolphins used two hits and an error to walk off in the bottom of the fifth. Zazzaro led off with a single up the middle, but was retired at second as sophomore third baseman/pitcher Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) reached on a fielder's choice. Andrews then walked and DeRita singled to left center to load the bases. Eastman followed by reaching on an error by the second baseman, which knocked in Bellrose and allowed Andrews to come around and score the game's final run.

Eastman earned her NE10-best 15th win of the year after striking out nine over the five shutout innings, while yielding just three hits and two walks. Zazzaro and DeRita each had two of Le Moyne's seven hits in the contest. Ariana DiCioccio suffered the loss after allowing six runs on five hits over four-plus innings.

The Dolphins scored the only run they would need in the nightcap in the bottom of the first. Sophomore catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) doubled to shallow center with one out and came around to score on a two-out single to center by Bellrose.

Le Moyne scored twice in the bottom of the second to take a 3-0 lead. Freshman shortstop Alyssa Jauregui (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Scioto) snapped an 0-for-23 skid with a double to right center to open the frame. After sophomore first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) walked, McManus reached on an error by the third baseman on a sacrifice bunt attempt to load the bases. LaForce then singled up the middle to drive in Jauregui and Artley.

The Dolphins completed their scoring with two runs in the third inning. After Andrews walked to start the frame, DeRita blasted a homer to left center on the first pitch.

Making her first appearance in the circle in 33 days, Bellrose improved to 5-2 on the season after tossing four innings, while striking out one and yielding two hits. Freshman Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) earned her first career save after striking out six batters over the final three innings. Nicolosi and Bellrose each tallied two of Le Moyne's seven hits. Kayla Riley took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits.

Le Moyne (23-8, 8-5 NE10, 5-2 SW), which had its doubleheader against Franklin Pierce scheduled for Thursday cancelled due to expected inclement weather, returns to action on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. for the start of a four-game series with Southern Connecticut State University.