New Haven, Conn. – Sophomore designated player/pitcher Mckenzie Bergdoll (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) drove in four runs to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a 12-7 win over Southern Connecticut State University in the second game of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Pelz Field. The Owls rallied in the seventh inning of the opener for a 3-2 win.

Southern Connecticut State opened the scoring in the nightcap with a run in the first inning. Center fielder Cailey Botteon singled to third base with one out and came around to score on a double to left center by right fielder Liz DeRosa.

The Dolphins took the lead in the third with six runs on four hits and two errors by the Owls. Junior right fielder Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) led off with a single to right center and moved around to third on a single to center by senior shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton), who moved to second on the throw. Sophomore center fielder Dominique Russo (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) then drove in Catalano while reaching on a fielding error by the third baseman, while LaForce came around to score on a throwing error by the pitcher. Following a groundout, graduate student first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) reached on a bunt single to drive in Russo. After a walk by sophomore third baseman Kaycee Hawk (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker/UAlbany) and an out, Bergdoll blasted a three-run home run to dead center field on a full-count pitch.

The Owls got one run back in the bottom of the frame. Designated player Jacqueline Dumont doubled to left field with one out and was replaced by Angela Barresi. After an error put runners at second and third, catcher Morgan Tuscano singled to knock in Barresi.

Le Moyne extended its lead to 8-2 in the fourth with a pair of runs. LaForce and Russo each singled to the shortstop with one out. Sophomore left fielder Jillian Dunn (Fiskdale, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) then reached on a bunt single down the first baseline, while LaForce and Russo came around to score on a throwing error by the first baseman and Dunn was retired at third trying to advance.

Southern Connecticut State pulled within four by scoring twice in the fifth. Pitcher Rachel Miller walked with one out and second baseman Lauryn Zubia followed with a double to left center. After a fly out, shortstop Sara Buscetto singled up the middle to knock in Miller and Zubia.

The Dolphins put the game out of reach with four runs in the sixth. Russo tripled to right field with one out and came in to score on a single to third by Dunn. Artley then reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, which allowed Dunn to come all the around from first to score. Following a single by Hawk and a pop out, Bergdoll singled to right field to drive in Artley, while sophomore pinch-runner Makenzie Konik (Scotia, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) raced home as Bergdoll was caught in a rundown.

The Owls answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth. DeRosa led off with a double to right field, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a two-out single up the middle by Tuscano.

Southern Connecticut State plated a pair of runs in the seventh, but could not cut into its deficit any more. Zubia led off with a walk and scored on a one-out home run to left center by Buscetto.

Redshirt freshman pitcher Laura Bennett (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) earned her first career victory in the circle after striking out five over four and two-thirds innings, while yielding four runs on 10 hits. Dunn, Bergdoll, LaForce and Russo each finished the game with two hits, while Russo scored three times. Jessica Perucki took the loss for the Owls after allowing eight runs in four and one-third innings, while striking out six.

In the opening game, the Owls also struck first with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Left fielder Ally Petrella led off with a double down the left field line and came around to score on a single up the middle by Buscetto.

The Dolphins responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. With two outs, senior catcher Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane) double to center field and scored on a double to left by Catalano. LaForce then reached on an error by the first baseman, which allowed Catalano to score the go-ahead run.

Southern Connecticut won the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Emily Lange led off with a single down the left field line and moved to second on a single to center by pitcher Jazmyn Martinez. After a pop out and a Le Moyne pitching change, Buscetto reached on an error by the second baseman to load the bases. Lange then raced home on a wild pitch and pinch-runner Katrina Roy came in to score the winning run as the catcher's throw to try to get Lange got away from the pitcher.

Senior pitcher Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) took the loss in the circle after yielding three runs (one earned) and five hits over six and one-third innings, while striking out nine. Martinez earned the victory after striking out five over seven innings, while allowing two runs (one earned).

Le Moyne (1-1, 1-1 NE10) continues its series with the Owls on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. with another doubleheader.