Albany, N.Y. – Senior Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) and redshirt freshman Laura Bennett (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) each tossed complete games to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a sweep of The College of Saint Rose in a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Friday evening at the Plumeri Complex. The Dolphins won the opener, 7-1, and completed the sweep with a 3-0 victory in the nightcap.

Le Moyne got the day's scoring started in the first inning with a run on two hits. Sophomore centerfielder Dominique Russo (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) singled with one out, stole second with two outs and came around to score on a single by junior catcher Cassidy Barrett (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal).

The Golden Knights evened the score at one apiece in the third inning. Left fielder Taylor Matlock doubled with one out and scored on a two-out double by center fielder Ciana Phillips.

The Dolphins regained the lead in the fifth inning. Freshman second baseman Brooke Nicolaos (Liverpool, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) and Barrett singled with two outs and then freshman designated player Lindsey Dobbs (Schenectady, N.Y./Colonie) walked to load the bases. Junior right fielder Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) followed with a single to drive in Nicolaos.

Le Moyne scored three times on four hits in the sixth inning. Graduate student first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) led off with a double, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a single by sophomore left fielder Jillian Dunn (Fiskdale, Mass./Tantasqua Regional). After a single by Russo and a groundout, Barrett singled to plate Dunn and Russo.

The Dolphins tacked on two runs on a pair of hits in the seventh inning. After Artley singled with one out, senior shortstop Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) blasted a home run to left field to deliver the final score.

Nichols struck out five and scattered six hits over seven innings, while yielding just one run, to earn her first win of the season. Russo, Barrett and Artley each recorded three hits in the contest. Margaret Kelley took the loss for the Golden Knights after allowing seven runs and 13 hits over six and one-third innings.
 
The Dolphins scored the only run they would need in the nightcap in the third inning on a pair of hits. Dunn singled with two outs, stole second and then scored on a single by Russo.

Le Moyne added a run in the fourth inning on two hits. Catalano singled with one out and senior catcher Olivia Littman (Newfane, N.Y./Newfane) followed with a double. After a fielder's choice, Artley lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Catalano.

The Dolphins completed the game's scoring with a run in the sixth on a pair of hits. Littman singled with one out and was replaced at first by junior pinch-runner Taylor Cox (Neversink, N.Y./Tri-Valley Secondary School). After a pop out, Artley singled and advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop, which allowed Cox to score.

Bennett registered 10 strikeouts and didn't walk a batter, while scattering five hits over seven innings, to improve to 4-0 in the circle. Dunn, Russo and Littman each tallied two hits in the victory. Alysa Houghtaling took the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) over seven innings.

Le Moyne (6-4, 6-4 NE10) and the Golden Knights complete the four-game series on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.