Syracuse, N.Y. – Freshman designated player Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Le Moyne College softball team a 5-4 win over American International College in Northeast-10 Conference action on Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex.

The Dolphins got the game's scoring started with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Junior pitcher/designated player Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) was hit by the first pitch of the inning, but was then retired at second as redshirt junior third baseman Chelsie Delperuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay/UMBC) reached on a fielder's choice. Following an out and a single up the middle by senior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy), junior first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) singled up the middle to knock in Delperuto.

American International took the lead with four runs in the fourth inning. Second baseman Sarah Baganz walked to start the frame and then stole second base. After third baseman/catcher Victoria Andrade was hit by a pitch, designated player Makaylah Mutz singled up the middle to drive in Baganz. Following a groundout, first baseman/third Brianna Rivera singled to left field to plate Andrade. After a fly out, right fielder Ashley Hughes reached on a throwing error by the second baseman, which allowed Mutz and Rivera to score.

Le Moyne got one run back in the bottom of the fourth. Bellrose led off with a single to right field and was replaced by freshman pinch-runner Maddy Sehnert (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport), who advanced to second on a wild pitch and then took third on another wild pitch, while racing home on a throwing error by the catcher.

The Dolphins evened the score at four apiece with two runs in the sixth. Bellrose led off with a single through the left side and was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Catalano. After a groundout, senior right fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) blasted a home run to right center to tie the score.

The Yellow Jackets loaded the bases in the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable to score.

Le Moyne walked off with the win with a run in the ninth. Sophomore shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) doubled through the left side with two outs and then took third on a wild pitch. Catalano then lined a single to right center to knock in LaForce with the winning run.

Sophomore Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings in relief, while striking out four. DeRita finished the game with three hits, while Bellrose and Zazzaro each had two. Kacie Allison suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) over eight and two-thirds innings.
 
Le Moyne (20-15, 12-6 NE10, 10-4 SW), which clinched at least the Southwest Division's third seed in the NE10 Championships, concludes its home schedule on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. against The College of Saint Rose.