Wilmington, N.C. – The Le Moyne College softball team opened the 2025 season in a doubleheader against Syracuse University and weekend host University of North Carolina Wilmington on Friday afternoon. The Dolphins dropped game one, 3-1, against the Orange before falling, 8-2, against the Seahawks in game two.
Game 1:
Following a hitless top of the first, Syracuse came to bat and put immediate pressure on the 'Phins in the bottom of the inning as sophomore starting pitcher Arianna Exarchakis (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) hit shortstop Jadyn Burney by a pitch before third baseman Kelly Breen singled to right field to advance the runner later in the inning. A sac fly by catcher Laila Morales-Alves one batter later drove in the first run of the game and the Orange were unable to score again despite another single and walk in the frame.
The game remained notched, 1-0, until the bottom of the fourth when Burney and Breen reached base again on a single and hit by pitch, respectively. Morales-Alves was able to drive both runners in with a double down the right field line as Syracuse took a three-run lead.
Le Moyne cracked the scoreboard in the top of the next inning as senior right fielder Alyssa Dybacz (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) singled to right field, scoring sophomore third baseman Gabriella Zarcone (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) who singled to short and advanced on a passed ball two batters earlier. Dybacz threatened on the base paths, advancing to third on a sequence of wild pitches, but the Dolphins were unable to bring her around to score.
Two straight 1-2-3 innings wrapped up the 'Phins offensive opportunities as they fell, 3-1, in the opening game of the weekend.
Exarchakis recorded the loss in a final line of 5.0 innings, six hits allowed, three earned runs, five walks, and three strikeouts while freshman pitcher Isabella Kwashek (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford) came in relief, hurling one inning allowing one walk and striking out one, as well.
On the offensive side of the ball, Dybacz went 1-4 while recording the lone RBI against SU and freshman DP Cianna Benamati (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) went 1-2, registering the 'Phins only extra-base hit of the game.
Game 2:
Le Moyne got on the board early in game two as Dybacz hammered a shot to the right field wall for a double before senior shortstop Dominique Rinaldi (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) laid down a bunt and reached safely on a throwing error as Dybacz crossed the plate. Sophomore left fielder Sydney Nesci (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) followed up later in the inning with a grounder up the middle and advanced to second as Rinaldi skirted the tag at home, putting the 'Phins up, 2-0.
The Seahawks answered back in the bottom of the frame as center fielder Cassidy Relay singled to lead-off and eventually scored on a fielding error by Rinaldi to bring the team back within one run. Rinaldi rebounded immediately, however, turning a 6-3 double-play to halt UNCW's rally.
After a quiet top of the second, UNCW took the lead in the bottom half of the inning, as catcher Sierra Persinger walked before third baseman Madison Biddle immediately drove her around the bases with a two-run homer over the right field wall. Freshman starting pitcher Nevaeh Ross (Friendship, N.Y./Friendship) was able to get out of the inning, striking out left fielder Arial Pearce swinging after allowing a walk.
The Seahawks struck big in the fifth as they put together a five-run rally started by Relay who singled to the left side and stole both second and third before Pearce drove her in with a blip into shallow left field. Kwashek came in relief in the inning and gave up a fielder's choice to starting pitcher Taylor Barlow before shortstop Maggie Pertee singled down the left field line and Britt got on base due to a muffed throw scoring Barlow's pinch runner, Ava Tsiouplis. A double by Persinger, single by Biddle, and throwing error which allowed second baseman Grace Hennessy to reach culminated in two more runs for UNCW in the frame.
Ross finished allowing six hits, four earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout over 4.0 innings, while Kwashek gave up four runs on three hits and one walk in one inning pitched. Freshman pitcher Danni Simpson (Marietta, G.A./Sprayberry) came in and allowed one walk in a scoreless sixth inning.
What's Next:
Le Moyne (0-2) will get right back into action at Boseman Field on Saturday morning, facing off against Queens University of Charlotte before taking on UNCW (1-1) once more at 3:00 p.m.
