Winter Haven, Fla. – The Le Moyne College softball team took both games of their Thursday afternoon double header against Molloy College. The Dolphins won the first game 4-0 behind a complete game shutout from redshirt-sophomore right-hander Laura Bennett (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post), and an Alyssa Dybacz (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Charles W. Baker) two-run homerun in the bottom of the 6^th inning of game number two lifted Le Moyne to a 5-4 victory over the Lions during the back end of the doubleheader.

The two wins move the 'Phins to 7-5 on the season and improve their record at The Spring Games to 5-1.

"Total team effort in both games," said Le Moyne Head Coach Tracey Roman. "We are putting the ball in play hard consistently and having higher quality at-bats across the board. Our offense made up for the shortcomings of our defense in the second game and although it was messy in spots, I'm pleased with the grit we are showing as a team in tough situations," added Coach Roman.

Bennett allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out 10 batters to earn her third compete-game victory at the Spring Games. Julia Panarella (Southington, Conn./Southington) gave the 'Phins five solid innings to start game number two, and after Lindsey Dobbs (Schenectady, N.Y./Colonie) got two important outs in the top of the 6^th, Bennett came in to get the final out in the inning, then earned another pitching decision win after getting through the top of the 7^th.

So, for those keeping track at home, through 24 innings pitched at The Spring Games Bennett has allowed just two runs, she has recorded 40 strikeouts and conceded just two walks. She has earned four pitching decision wins and a save. Some would say these are impressive statistics.

Dybacz has also been enjoying her softball in The Sunshine State. Simply put, the first-year utility player is on an absolute tear in Winter Haven. She is 9-15 so far at The Spring Games and has gotten her money's worth in every single at-bat, consistently squaring up the ball and hitting it hard into the field of play every time she steps to the plate. During today's doubleheader, she went 3-4 with a stolen base in game one, then went 2-3 with a double, a go-ahead homerun, two RBIs and three runs scored in game two. Her three hits in game one, along with her three runs scored and two RBIs in game two are all season-highs.  If you're a softball in Winter Haven, you better hide until Dybacz gets on the plane back to Syracuse.

The 'Phins scored all four of their runs in game one during the top of the 2^nd inning.

Sophomore second baseman Brooke Nicolaos (Liverpool, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) hit the ball in the air through the middle of the infield and into center field for a leadoff base hit to start the inning. Then Dybacz smoked the ball into left field for a single. Redshirt-freshman Frankie Larobardiere (North Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse/Onondaga C.C.) drew a walk, then junior first baseman Mckenzie Bergdoll (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) hit the ball hard on the ground up the middle. The shortstop nearly made a great play, but it went off her glove, Nicolaos scored, and Bergdoll reached first base with an RBI base hit to give the 'Phins a 1-0 lead.

The Lions got a ground ball and force out at home for the first out of the 2^nd inning. Molloy starting pitcher Courtney Greene got another ground ball to the left side and the Lions threw the ball to home plate again for the force out, but the catcher was pulled away from the plate, and Larobardiere scored to make it 2-0 Le Moyne.

Junior center fielder Isabelle Boudreau (Memramcook, New Brunswick/Mathieu-Martin/Pace) came to the plate next and hit the ball to the left of second base. The Molloy shortstop ranged to her left and did well to field the ball, but there was no throw to be made. Bergdoll scored, and Boudreau was credited with the RBI single.

First year shortstop Dominique Rinaldi (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) came to the plate next, with one out and a job to do. Rinaldi lifted the ball to center field for an RBI sacrifice fly, giving senior right fielder Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) the opportunity to tag-up at third and cross home plate to put the 'Phins up 4-0.

Alex Burns hit a two-out double into the right field gap during the bottom of the 2nd for Molloy, then Catalano made a tremendous sliding catch in right field during the next at-bat to end the inning and save a run for the 'Phins.

Dybacz hit a line drive to left field to lead off the top of the third, but the Molloy outfielder made a great diving catch for the first out of the inning. Larobadiere and Bergdoll picked her up with back-to-back singles, but Molloy got a line out and successfully threw behind a runner to end the inning without sustaining any damage.

Molloy loaded the bases in the bottom of the 6^th with two outs, and Coach Roman walked out to speak with her pitcher and the rest of the infield.

It is interesting to watch Bennett in these types of moments. Throughout The Spring Games, when the pressure mounts, the look on her face is not what you might expect. When she is in a jam and either her catcher, CJ Barrett, or her coach makes the walk out to the circle to discuss strategy, Bennett does not grimace. She does not frown, nor squint her eyes, or purse her lips. She doesn't clench her jaw or stare blankly. She smiles. She laughs, maybe she'll make a funny observation. She's playing a game, wouldn't you know it, and she likes the pressure that comes with it.
After Coach Roman retreated to the dugout, Bennett promptly recorded a strikeout to get out of the inning unscathed.

Le Moyne struck first in game two, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the 2^nd inning.

Dybacz hit a one-out line drive into the right center field gap for a double. Larobardiere smoked the ball right back to the pitcher, who fielded it and threw to first base for out number two. Dybacz advanced to third on the ground ball.

Bergdoll came to the plate next, and she hit the ball over the shortstop's head into left field for an RBI single. Senior outfielder Taylor Cox (Neversink, N.Y./Tri-Valley Secondary School) followed suit and hit the ball hard between the second baseman and the bag to drive in Bergdoll and make it 2-0 in favor of the Dolphins.

Bergdoll and Nicolaos both made good defensive plays during a 1-2-3 top of the third for Panarella.

Molloy tied the game in the top of the 4^th via two fielding errors and a double. Panarella got a ground ball to end the inning.

Nicaolaos was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the 4^th. Dybacz squared the ball up again, but she hit a hard chopper right at the pitcher, who fielded it and threw to second for the first out. The Lions tried to turn a double play, but Dybacz hustled down the line to beat out the throw. Some heads up base running allowed Dybacz to take second after a pitch in the dirt.

Larobadiere then hit the ball on the ground to the shortstop, and Dybacz made a break for third on contact. The shortstop tried to throw out Dybacz at third, but couldn't complete the play, allowing the 'Phins to reach first and third safely with one-out. Bergdoll did her job next, lifting the ball in the air to right field for a SAC fly to give the 'Phins a 3-2 lead.

Molloy scored two runs in the top of the 6^th to give themselves a 4-3 advantage.

Nicaolos was hit by another pitch with one out in the bottom of the 6^th. Dybacz came to the plate next, and she hit a rocket over the right center field wall for a go-ahead two-run homerun.

The Lions put a runner in scoring position with two-outs in the top of the 7^th, but Bennett recorded a strikeout to end the game.

The Le Moyne College softball team will be back in action tomorrow, March 18, with a doubleheader against Dominican College at 1:30 & 3:45 p.m.