Springfield, Mass. – Senior designated player/pitcher Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) had three hits, five RBI and a win in the circle to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a pair of 8-0 wins over American International College in a Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Judy Groff Field.

In the opener, the Dolphins scored the only runs they would need in the first inning. Junior catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) led off with a walk and then stole second. Freshman center fielder Aubrie Williams (Kirkville, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa) then reached on a dropped pop up by the shortstop. Following two outs, redshirt junior third baseman Chelsie Delperuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay/UMBC) singled through the right side to drive in Nicolosi and Williams.

Le Moyne pushed across a run in the third on two hits. Nicolosi led off with a single to right, stole second and came around to score on a two-out single to right by Bellrose.

The Dolphins scored twice on one hit and one AIC error in the fifth inning. Junior second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) was hit by a pitch to open the frame and moved around to third as Nicolosi reached on a throwing error by the catcher on a sacrifice bunt attempt. After a single by Williams to load the bases, McManus scored on a groundout. Nicolosi then scored on a groundout by Bellrose.

Le Moyne completed the game's scoring with three runs on two hits and an error in the sixth inning. Senior right fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to start the frame and moved to second on a walk by junior first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land). Following a single to left by McManus to load the bases, Nicolosi singled down the left field line to drive in Zazzaro and Artley. Sophomore pinch-hitter Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane) then grounded out to knock in McManus.

Sophomore righty Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) earned her ninth win of the season after striking out six over six innings, while yielding just two hits. Nicolosi and Delperuto each had two hits in the game, while Nicolosi scored three times. Kacie Allison took the loss for the Yellow Jackets after allowing eight runs (four earned) and seven hits over six innings.

The Dolphins plated two runs in the first inning of the nightcap also. Williams led off with a single to second base and then stole second. Two batters later, Bellrose homered to right field.

Like the first game, the Dolphins also scored once in the third. Williams reached on a fielding error by the third baseman to start the frame and then stole second. Sophomore shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) followed with a double down the left field line to drive in Williams.

Le Moyne scored five runs in the fourth on three hits and one AIC error. Freshman right fielder Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second as Artley reached on an error by the third baseman. McManus then singled to center to drive in Catalano. Two batters later, LaForce doubled to right center to knock in Artley, McManus and Williams, who reached on a fielder's choice. Bellrose then singled to center to plate LaForce.

Bellrose earned her eighth victory of the season after tossing three and two-thirds innings, while striking out two and yielding just three hits. LaForce and Bellrose each had two hits, while LaForce drove in four and Bellrose had three RBI. Olivia Gonzalez took the loss after giving up eight runs (five earned) over five innings.
 
Le Moyne (18-13, 10-4 NE10, 8-2 SW) returns home for a doubleheader against the University of New Haven on Friday beginning at 11:00 a.m. (moved up from the originally scheduled time of 2:00 p.m.)