Colchester, V.T. – For the second time this week the Le Moyne College softball team have won both games of their Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader.

"We picked up two wins today which is what we needed to do. Another solid performance from Laura [Bennett] in game one and a combined effort from our entire [pitching] staff in game two. The quality of our at-bats and situational hitting has improved tremendously the last couple weeks. We need to stay on this course as we head into the final eight games of conference play this week," said Le Moyne Head Coach Tracey Roman following today's victories.

On Saturday afternoon at Saint Michael's College, the Dolphins won game one against the Purple Knights, 2-0, behind another dominant outing in the circle from redshirt-sophomore right-hander Laura Bennett (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post). Bennett pitched a complete-game shutout, which is her fourth this month, and struck out 14 Purple Knight hitters, which is the most strikeouts recorded in a single game by any Dolphin pitcher since Sarah Harrison struck out 14 batters against Shepherd in February of 2014. Harrison and now Bennett are the only Le Moyne players to record at least 14 strikeouts during a single game in the last 20 years.

Bennett allowed just three hits in 7.0 innings of work and did not walk a single batter. The Dolphins played good defense behind Bennett to earn the shutout and take the first game of the doubleheader.

Le Moyne used four pitchers during game two, and the pitching staff collectively allowed just one run during the seven-inning contest as the Dolphins earned a 3-1 win during the second half of the doubleheader to claim their fourth consecutive conference victory.

Julia Panarella (Southington, Conn./Southington) and Mckenzie Bergdoll (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) each pitched an inning during the 3-1 victory. Lindsey Dobbs (Schenectady, N.Y./Colonie) entered the game at the start of the bottom of the 3^rd inning and delivered a strong 3.1 innings in relief for the 'Phins during which she did not allow a run and struck out three batters. Bennett returned to the circle to pitch the final 1.2 innings and struck out four more batters as she successfully closed out game two, finishing her day with 18 total Ks.

Alyssa Dybacz (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Charles W. Baker) went 2-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI during the game one win, then delivered a hit and an RBI in game two.

Brooke Nicolaos (Liverpool, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) and Elaina Kassap (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) each recorded two hits during Le Moyne's 3-1 win, while Nicolaos and Cassidy Barrett (Apalachin, N.Y./Vestal) each provided an RBI and a run scored in the game two triumph.

During game one, Dybacz led off the top of the 2^nd inning with a walk, then Victoria Catalano (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) singled into center field to put runners on first and second with zero outs.

Kassap came to the plate next as Le Moyne's six-hitter, and she blasted a double over the center fielder. Dybacz was thrown out at third following the relay, and Catalano reached third base safely.

Dominique Rinaldi (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) was hit by a pitch during the next at-bat, and then with one out and the bases loaded, Saint Michael's starting pitcher Jackie Cherry recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

Bennett recorded her third and fourth strikeouts of game one during a 1-2-3 bottom of the 2^nd, then Le Moyne got on the board in the top of the 3^rd.

Isabelle Boudreau (Memramcook, New Brunswick/Mathieu-Martin/Pace) led off the top of the 3^rd with an infield single, then Nicolaos laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position.

Boudreau stole third base, then CJ Barrett, who spent all 14 innings of Saturday's doubleheader behind the plate for the 'Phins, was hit by a pitch.

With runners on first and third, Dybacz hit a pitch hard back up the middle. The ball deflected off the glove of the pitcher and bounced to the Purple Knights shortstop. She threw the ball home, but Boudreau beat the throw to the plate and scored the first run of the inning. Dybacz sprinted towards second base following the throw, and the Saint Michael's catcher tried to throw her out. The throw to second base was off target and rolled into the outfield, allowing Barrett to cross the plate and put the 'Phins up 2-0.

Bennett struck out two batters in the bottom of the 3^rd, and then two more during a 1-2-3 bottom of the 4^th. She struck out the side in the bottom of the 5^th, then delivered a 1-2-3 bottom of the 6^th.
Bennett allowed two singles in the bottom of the 7^th, but then with one out and runners on first and second, she recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the game and complete her seven-inning shutout.

During game two, Le Moyne jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1^st inning. With one out and Nicolaos standing on first base, Barrett hit a triple into left field to drive in a run. Dybacz stepped to the plate next and lifted a fly ball to right field which allowed Barrett to tag up and score.

Saint Michael's loaded the bases in the bottom of the 1^st, but Panarella got a ground ball to end the inning.

Marli Welter led off the bottom of the 2^nd for the Purple Knights with a solo homerun to cut their deficit in half.

Boudreau beat out a bunt single with one out in the top of the 3^rd to give Le Moyne their first baserunner of the inning. Boudreau advanced to second on a passed ball, then Barrett drew a walk with two outs.
Dybacz hit a single into center field during the next Le Moyne at-bat, and Boudreau rounded third base looking to score. Saint Michael's center fielder Hope Hiscock made the throw home in time, and catcher Jenna Hoops successfully applied the tag on Boudreau for the final out of the inning.

Dobbs recorded two strikeouts during a 1-2-3 bottom of the 4^th, then did not allow a runner in scoring position during the 5^th. The sophomore right-hander got the first out of the bottom of the 6^th, then Bennett came in and got two strikeouts to end the inning.

Taylor Cox (Neversink, N.Y./Tri-Valley Secondary School) drove a out-out single into center field during the top of the 7^th to give Le Moyne their first base runner of the inning. Boudreau moved her into scoring position with a ground out, then Nicolaos drove her in with a base hit to right field, extending the Dolphins' lead to 3-1.

Bennett recorded two more strikeouts during a 1-2-3 bottom of the 7^th to secure the victory.

The Le Moyne College softball team improved to 8-10 against Northeast-10 Conference competition this season following the doubleheader win and will play two more conference battles on Sunday at Franklin Pierce University. Game one of tomorrow's doubleheader against the Ravens is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. EST.