Winter Haven, Fla. – Senior pitcher Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) went the distance in the circle and drove in the winning run to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a 4-1 win over Slippery Rock University on Wednesday afternoon at the DiamondPlex. The Dolphins fell to Fairmont State University, 8-3, in their second game of the day.

Slippery Rock opened the game's scoring with a run on two hits in the first inning. Second baseman Sara Mikulec led off with a single to second base and moved around to third on a double to left center by third baseman Becca Roesch. Following a groundout and a walk to load the base, center fielder Alexa Guglielmino grounded out to drive in Mikulec.

The Dolphins answered back in the next inning to knot the score without getting a hit. Sophomore designated player Cassidy Barrett (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal) drew a walk to start the frame, moved to second on a passed ball, took third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane).

Le Moyne scored three times on two hits in the third inning. Freshman left fielder Jillian Dunn (Fiskdale, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) walked and senior second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) was hit by a pitch around a sacrifice bunt. After a bunt single by senior first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) to load the bases, Bellrose lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Dunn. Barrett followed with a single to second base to knock in McManus and Artley.
 
Bellrose struck out five in the complete-game performance, while yielding just the one run and scattering eight hits. Artley and senior right fielder Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) each had two of the team's five hits. Claire Zimmerman took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) over two and two-thirds innings.

Fairmont State scored the only runs it would need in the top of the first with four on three hits and a Le Moyne error. Third baseman Jenny Stubbs led off with a double to left field and then took third on a wild pitch. After right fielder Haley McDaniel walked, she stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher, which allowed Stubbs to score. After a pop out, McDaniel scored on a passed ball. Following an out, catcher Katlynn Foltz walked and first baseman Heidi Hormell doubled to left center. Center fielder Jessie Weaver then singled to right center to drive in Foltz and Hormell.
 
The Dolphins answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. Nicolosi led off with a single to center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Artley walked, Bellrose reached on a fielder's choice and Artley advanced to third on a throwing error by the second baseman, which allowed Nicolosi to score. Barrett then grounded out to drive in Artley. Junior shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) followed with a single to center to knock in Bellrose.

The Fighting Falcons plated three runs in the sixth. Left fielder Carly Clarke drew a walk to start the frame, moved to second on a single by second baseman Meadow Anderson, stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Stubbs followed by drawing a walk, McDaniel singled and designated player Ashlyn Spears walked with two outs to load the bases. Foltz then doubled down the left field line to drive in Stubbs and McDaniel.

Fairmont State finished off the game's scoring with a run in the seventh. After Anderson singled to left center with two outs, she scored on a double to center by Stubbs.

Junior Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) took the loss after yielding four runs and six hits over four innings. LaForce finished the contest with a pair of hits. Kadi Cosgrove earned the win for the Fighting Falcons after striking out five, while allowing three runs (one earned) and seven hits.
 
Le Moyne (7-6) is back at DiamondPlex on Thursday to take on St. Cloud State University at 10:15 a.m. and the University of Bridgeport at 12:30 p.m.