Jan Phyl Village, Fla. – Catcher Abi Gray recorded five hits and seven RBI to lead Southern New Hampshire University to a doubleheader sweep of the Le Moyne College softball team in the Northeast-10 Conference opener for both teams on Tuesday afternoon at the Auburndale Complex. The Penmen won the opener, 5-3, and took the nightcap, 14-4.
 
Le Moyne opened the day's scoring with a run in the first inning. Senior catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) led off with a ground-rule double to left field, stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

The Penmen answered with a run in the top of the second to even the score at one apiece. Pitcher Maddy Barone led off with a double down the left field line, took third on a groundout and scored on a two-out double to left by left fielder Logan Filo-Loos.

Following three scoreless innings, Southern New Hampshire plated four runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead. With two outs, first baseman Emily Carbonneau and pinch-hitter Coralie Mathieu drew walks and then Filo-Loos was hit by a pitch to load the bases and force a pitching change. Shortstop Gabriella Vachon was then hit by a pitch, which force in Carbonneau. Right fielder Chloe Griffin then drew a walk, which forced in Mathieu and caused another pitching change. Gray greeted the new pitcher with a single to right center to plate Filo-Loose. Second baseman Shay Sauvageau was then hit by a pitch, which forced in Vachon.

The Dolphins scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, but could not bring the tying run to the plate. Senior pitcher/third baseman Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) was hit by a pitch to open the frame. Following a pair of outs, sophomore designated player Cassidy Barrett (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal) homered to get the Dolphins within two.

Bellrose took the loss in the circle after allowing four runs and five hits over five and two-thirds innings, while striking out four. Barone earned the win after striking out 10, while yielding three runs (two earned) and three hits.

The Penmen got the scoring started in the nightcap with four runs in the first inning. Griffin reached on a fielding error by the first baseman to start the game and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Sauvageau followed with a single to drive in Griffin. After a pop out and a walk by Carbonneau, Gray homered to give the Penmen a 4-0 lead.

Le Moyne pulled within one in the bottom of the second with three runs on three hits and two Penmen errors. Barrett opened the inning by drawing a walk and advanced to third as junior shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) reached on a throwing error by the pitcher. Sophomore right fielder Taylor Cox (Neversink, N.Y./Tri-Valley Secondary School) then reached on another throwing error by the pitcher to knock in Barrett. Freshman center fielder Dominique Russo (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) followed with a single to the pitcher to plate LaForce. Two batters later, Nicolosi singled to center field to drive in Russo.

The Dolphins evened the score at four apiece in the third on a one-out solo home run to center by Barrett.

Southern New Hampshire regained the lead with three runs in the fifth. Sauvageau led off with a home run to left center for the lead. Catcher/designated player Emily Critch followed with a single to third base and then Carbonneau drew a walk. Gray followed with a single to drive in Critch. After an out, right fielder Jackie Gavin reached on a fielder's choice to knock in pinch-runner Abby Latham.

The Penmen scored four runs in the sixth on five hits. Griffin led off with a single to right center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a walk by Sauvageau and a single by Critch to load the bases, Carbonneau singled to left to drive in Griffin. Gray followed with a double to left to plate Sauvageau and Critch. After a pop out, Gavin singled to first base to knock in Carbonneau.

Southern New Hampshire completed the game's scoring with three runs in the seventh inning. After Griffin singled and Sauvageau walked around an out, Critch homered to right center.

Junior Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) suffered the loss after yielding 10 runs over the final four and one-third innings, while striking out three. Nicolosi led the Dolphins offensively with two hits. Griffin earned the victory after striking out five over the final five innings, while allowing one run and two hits.
 
Le Moyne (6-5, 0-2 NE10) returns to action on Wednesday at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven against Slippery Rock University at 12:15 p.m. and Fairmont State University at 2:45 p.m.