Worcester, Mass. – Senior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning as the Le Moyne College softball team rallied for an 8-6 win over Assumption College in the second game of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Greyhounds won the opener, 7-1.

The Greyhounds started the scoring in the nightcap with two runs in the first inning. After left fielder Marissa Doherty walked with one out, shortstop Alyssa Beaton smacked a two-run homer.

Assumption extended its lead to 5-0 with three runs in the second inning. Third baseman Mckenzie Richards was hit by a pitch to start the frame, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and came around to score on a double to left center by right fielder Julia Mazzeo. After advancing to third on a bunt single by second baseman Brooke Murphy, Mazzeo scored on an error by the catcher. Following walks by Doherty and Beaton, center fielder Kayla Peabody lifted a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Murphy.

Le Moyne got on the scoreboard in the fourth with a run on two hits. Freshman center fielder Aubrie Williams (Kirkville, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa) led off with a single to the pitcher, stole second and took third on a groundball. Following two outs, Williams scored on a single up the middle by sophomore shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton).

The Dolphins closed within one with three runs in the fifth inning on three hits and an Assumption error. Freshman catcher Cassidy Barrett (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal) led off with a single up the middle and came around to score on a one-out doubled through the left side by junior catcher/first baseman Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn). Three batters later, junior third baseman Chelsie Delperuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay/UMBC) reached on an error by the shortstop, which allowed Nicolosi to score. Sophomore pinch-hitter Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane) followed with a single up the middle to drive in Williams.

The Greyhounds got one run back in the bottom of the fifth as Peabody hit a one-out solo home run.

Le Moyne scored four times in the seventh on three hits and one error to take the lead. Nicolosi led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on a passed ball. After an out and a walk, Nicolosi scored as Delperuto reached on an error by the third baseman. Following a fly out and a single by LaForce to load the bases, DeRita singled to right field to drive in junior pinch-runner Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) and Delperuto. LaForce then raced home on a wild pitch.

The Greyhounds loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but the next batter lined out to end the game.

Sophomore Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) earned her fifth win of the season after striking out three over the seven innings, while yielding six runs and six hits. Nicolosi, LaForce and Barrett each had two hits in the game. Erin Barry took the loss after allowing four runs over two and one-third innings.

In the opening game, Assumption scored in each of the first three innings. Beaton reached on an error with one out in the first, moved to second on a single by Peabody and scored on a double to left by catcher Victoria Petrie.

In the second, left fielder Caitlin Mirabell reached on an error by the first baseman to start the frame. After a hit batter and a pair of outs, Richards scored from third as Murphy stole second base.

The Greyhounds plated a pair of runs on three hits in the third. After Beaton and Peabody singled to open the inning, Petrie singled to left to drive in Beaton. Following a pair of outs around a walk to load the bases, Peabody scored as Mazzeo reached on a fielder's choice.

Assumption scored three times in the sixth on three hits. Beaton started the frame with a home run. Following two outs, first baseman Alyssa Bialakis singled up the middle and Mirabell was hit by a pitch. After Richards walked to load the bases, pinch-runners Ally Hinojosa and Doherty scored on a single to right center by Mazzeo.

The Dolphins broke through with one run in the seventh on two hits. Junior designated player Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) led off with a single to left and was replaced at first by freshman pinch-runner Taylor Cox (Neversink, N.Y. / Tri-Valley Secondary School). Following a pair of outs, Delperuto doubled to left to drive in Cox.

Nichols took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) and nine hits over five innings. Bellrose had three of Le Moyne's six hits in the contest, while Nicolosi added two. Mia Nowicki earned the win for the Greyhounds after striking out eight over seven innings, while giving up just one run and six hits.

Le Moyne (13-11, 5-2 NE10) returns to action on Sunday for a doubleheader at Merrimack College at 12:00 p.m.