Syracuse, N.Y. – Graduate student righty Laura Bennett (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) tossed nine scoreless innings and the top third of the lineup went 8-for-9 in the nightcap to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a sweep of Saint Peter's University in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. The Dolphins won the opener, 1-0, and took the nightcap, 9-1, in five innings.

"These wins were a great way to bounce back from yesterday's losses," said head coach Tracey Roman. "I love how present we're staying by focusing on whatever opportunity is in front of us. I was happy to see the bats wake up as well. We are getting contributions from every member of our team, whether it's pinch hitting, pinch running, positional changes or relief efforts. Our roster versatility paid off today."

In the opener, the Dolphins loaded the bases with one out in the first inning, but the Peacocks were able to get out of the jam with an infield fly and a strikeout.

The Dolphins were able to get a runner to third base again in the second, but the next batter flied out to left field to end the frame.

Saint Peter's threatened for the first time in the top of the fourth by advancing a runner to third with two outs, but Bennett recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

After the Dolphins replicated what the Peacocks did in the fourth, Saint Peter's put runners on second and third with two outs. Maiah Skakal then lined a ball into the left-center gap, but freshman center fielder Sydney Nesci (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) raced into the gap and snared the ball above her head to end the frame.

The Peacocks put runners on second and third with only one out in the sixth, but Bennett recorded a swinging strikeout and shallow fly to right to end the threat.

Le Moyne broke through with the game's only run in the bottom of the sixth. Graduate student first baseman Mckenzie Bergdoll (Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro) doubled down the left field line with one out and was replaced at second by freshman pinch-runner Kara Bacon (Warrensburg, N.Y./Warrensburg). Following an out, Nesci laced a single through the left side. As she was running from second to third base, Bacon was obstructed by the shortstop, who had gone to the ground to snag the bouncing ball, and was able to score the go-ahead run.

Bennett retired the Peacocks in order in the seventh to close out the game.

Bennett finished the game with five strikeouts, while scattering seven hits and not walking a batter, to earn the victory in the circle. Kristen Brennan took the loss for the Peacocks after yielding one run and five hits.

After the Peacocks had two baserunners in the first inning of game two, the Dolphins struck for three runs in their first three at-bats of the bottom of the frame. Junior right fielder Alyssa Dybacz (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) led off with a triple to right center and came in to score on a single through the left side by junior shortstop Dominique Rinaldi (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville). Redshirt junior third baseman Frankie Larobardiere (North Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse/Onondaga C.C.) then launched a home run to right field.

The Dolphins doubled their lead in the bottom of the second on three hits. Sophomore left fielder Emilee Gallagher (New Windsor, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) drew a walk with one out and moved to second on a single by Dybacz. Rinaldi then singled down the left field line to plate Gallagher. Larobardiere followed with a double down the right field line to drive in Dybacz and Rinaldi and force a pitching change by the Peacocks.

Saint Peter's got on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Skakal led off with a single up the middle and moved to second as second baseman Cara McNulty was hit by a pitch. The next batter flied out to the right fielder in foul territory, which allowed Skakal to advance to third base and then she scored as the throw back to the infield was errant.

Le Moyne pushed its lead to 7-1 with a run on two hits in the fourth. Dybacz led off with a single to left center, advanced to second on a wild pitch, took third on a groundout and scored on a double to left center by Larobardiere.

The Dolphins ended the game with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore designated player Audrey Benderski (Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park) led off with a double to left center and she was replaced at second by Bacon. Freshman second baseman Gabriella Zarcone (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) followed with a single to the shortstop. After Bacon stole third, Zarcone stole second and the next two hitters were retired, sophomore pinch-hitter Alexandra Chesney (Malverne, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) drove a single to center to knock in Bacon and Zarcone to end the game.

Freshman righty Arianna Exarchakis (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) earned her second home victory after yielding an unearned run in three innings in the circle. Dybacz finished the game 3-for-3 with three runs scored, Rinaldi was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI and Larobardiere went 3-for-3 with five RBI and a run scored at the top of the Le Moyne order. A Wagner suffered the loss after allowing six runs and six hits and only recording four outs.

Le Moyne (12-26) continues its homestand with an NEC doubleheader against Wagner College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.