Easton, Mass. – Sophomore third baseman Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) hit a three-run homer to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to an 8-5 win over Stonehill College in the first game of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Fr. Gartland Field. The Skyhawks won the nightcap, 5-3.

The Dolphins got the scoring started in the first game with four runs on three hits in the opening inning. Graduate student center fielder Kelsey Johnson (Greece, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) and junior right fielder/center fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) walked around a fly out. Bellrose then launched her second home run of the season to left field. Senior designated player/third baseman Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) then walked, took second on a wild pitch and came around to score on a single down the left field line by junior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy).

Le Moyne scored once on two hits in the second inning. Johnson led off with a triple to right center and was replaced at third by sophomore pinch-runner/right fielder Mia Pollino (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy). Sophomore catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) then singled to center to plate Pollino.

The Dolphins increased their lead to 7-0 with a pair of runs in the fourth on two hits and two Stonehill errors. Pollino and Nicolosi opened the frame with singles to the left side. After a pair of outs, Andrews reached on an error by the shortstop, which allowed Nicolosi and Zazzaro, who reached on a fielder's choice, to score.

Le Moyne added its final run in the fifth. Freshman pinch-hitter Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane) was hit by a pitch with one out and was replaced at first by sophomore first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land), who then took second on a passed ball. After a line out, Pollino singled to left to drive in Artley.

The Skyhawks were down to their final out in the bottom of the fifth, but stayed alive in the game by scoring three runs. Catcher Julia Hartman and pitcher Katherine Rayner led off with infield singles before advancing on a sacrifice bunt. After the second out, center fielder Hannah Ricker singled to the third baseman to drive in Hartman. Left fielder Caroline Casey then doubled to left center to knock in Rayner and Ricker.

Stonehill scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, but left the bases loaded and the tying run at first base. Shortstop Maille Bennett led off with a double to right center and moved to third on a one-out single up the middle by Ricker. After Casey walked to load the bases, Bennett scored as third baseman Carly Rennie reached on a fielder's choice. Ricker then scored as first baseman Michelle Theilgard grounded out to the pitcher. After second baseman Sophie Perez was hit by a pitch to load the bases, the next batter lined out to Zazzaro to end the game.

Senior righty Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) picked up her third win of the weekend after striking out 10 batters over the seven innings, while yielding five runs. Pollino and Nicolosi each had two hits in the game. Kazi Walker suffered the loss after allowing eight runs (five earned) on nine hits over four and two-thirds innings.

The Dolphins opened the second game's scoring with two runs in the first inning on four hits. Freshman shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) and Nicolosi opened the game with singles before Zazzaro singled through the right side to drive in LaForce. Bellrose then singled to right to plate Nicolosi.

Stonehill got one run back in the bottom of the first on three hits. Casey singled to right field with one out, but made the second out at third base as Rennie doubled to left. Theilgard followed with a double to right to drive in Rennie.

The Skyhawks evened the score at two in the bottom of the fourth on one hit and one Le Moyne error. Designated player Erin Brayden doubled down the left field line with two outs and was replaced at second by pinch-runner Gianna Azzato, who then advanced to third on a passed ball. Right fielder/designated player Olivia Peterson then reached on an error by the first baseman, which allowed Azzato to score.

Stonehill took the lead with three runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth. Theilgard singled through the left side with two outs and Perez followed with a single to third base. Hartman followed with a three-run homer to left field for a 5-2 lead.

The Dolphins got within two with a run on one hit and a Stonehill error in the sixth. With two outs, LaForce tripled down the right field line and then raced home on a throwing error by the second baseman on the play.

Freshman Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) took the loss after yielding five runs (four earned) over six innings, while striking out five. LaForce and Nicolosi each had two hits at the top of the lineup. Jennifer Mayette earned the win after striking out eight, while allowing three runs (one earned).

Le Moyne (20-8, 6-5 NE10) returns to NE10 Southwest Division play on Tuesday with a single game at The College of Saint Rose at 3:00 p.m.