Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Sophomore shortstop Kailey LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) registered five hits to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to wins over Clarion University and Kutztown University on Sunday at the Snowbird Freeze Out Tournament at the Ned Donkle Complex. The Dolphins defeated Clarion, 5-3, and Kutztown, 8-2.

Clarion opened the day's scoring with a run on one hit in the first inning. Second baseman/third baseman Moriah Lynn led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a groundout to the shortstop.

The Dolphins took the lead in the bottom of the first with two runs on four hits. LaForce led off with a single to the shortstop, moved to second on a single to left by freshman left fielder Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) and took third on a single in front of the plate by senior designated player Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington). Senior center fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) then doubled to the wall in center to plate LaForce and Catalano.

Le Moyne added two runs on three hits and one Clarion error in the second. Freshman right fielder Maddy Sehnert (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) reached on a bunt single with one out, moved to second on a single by LaForce and took third on a passed ball. Sehnert then scored as Catalano reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. Zazzaro followed with a single to center to knock in LaForce.

The Dolphins extended their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth on three hits. Catalano led off with a single to left and took second on a single by Zazzaro. After an out, redshirt junior third baseman Chelsie Delperuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay/UMBC) singled to center to drive in Catalano.

Clarion took advantage of a Le Moyne error in the seventh inning to plate two runs. After the first two batters were retired, designated player Rebecca Kelley reached on a fielding error by the third baseman. Left fielder Mackenzie Wolfe then hit a two-run homer to get her team within 5-3.

Sophomore righty Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) earned her second win of the season after yielding just one run and one hit over five innings, while striking out two. LaForce, Zazzaro and junior second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) each recorded three hits, while Catalano had a pair of hits. Macy Rubin took the loss for Clarion after allowing five runs on 14 hits over five innings.

The Dolphins scored the only runs they would need against Kutztown with three runs on two hits in the first inning. Junior catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) walked to start the game and then moved to second on a one-out walk by Zazzaro. Junior pitcher/designated player Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) then blasted a three-run homer to left center.

Le Moyne added a run on two hits in the second inning. Nicolosi doubled to right center with two outs, moved to third on a single through the left side by LaForce and then scored as Zazzaro reached on an error by the catcher.

The Dolphins pushed their lead to five with a run in the fourth on two hits. Junior first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) led off with a single and took second on a wild pitch with one out. After moving to third on a groundout, Artley scored on a single to left field by LaForce.

Kutztown got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth on two hits and one Le Moyne error. Catcher Hannah Auvil walked with one out, moved to second on a single to left by third baseman Taylor Knappenberger and took third as second baseman Emily Ostaszewski reached on an error by the third baseman. As pitcher Amber Brugger grounded out to the shortstop, Auvil scored. Left fielder Sara Keeny then singled to the pitcher to drive in Knappenberger.

The Dolphins finished off the game's scoring with three runs on two hits in the top of the fifth. DeRita led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a walk by Delperuto. After an out and a walk by Artley to load the bases, McManus drew a walk to force in DeRita. Nicolosi then singled to center to drive in Delperuto and Artley.

Bellrose picked up her second win of the weekend after yielding two unearned runs and six hits over four innings, while striking out one. Nicolosi, LaForce and DeRita each recorded two hits in the contest. Erin Fortney took the loss after three of the four batters she faced in the first inning scored.
 
Le Moyne (4-1) returns to action at THE Spring Games in Clermont, Florida on Sunday, March 10 against Bentley University at 2:00 p.m.