Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College softball team kicked off their three-game conference series at home against Mercyhurst on Sunday afternoon. The Dolphins split their doubleheader after taking down the Lakers 9-1 in five innings in game one and dropping game two, 11-10. The squad now sits with a 14-27 record overall while going 6-11 in conference play.
Prior to the doubleheader, Le Moyne's three graduating seniors, middle infielder Dominique Rinaldi (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville), outfielder Alyssa Dybacz (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker), and catcher Elaina Kassap (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) were recognized for their contributions to the softball program and Le Moyne College community on Senior Day.
Game 1:
Le Moyne's freshman starter Nevaeh Ross (Friendship, N.Y./Friendship) avoided trouble in the top of the first, recording three straight outs after giving up a leadoff double down the right field line to shortstop Eliza Reynolds.
The 'Phins offense cracked the scoreboard in their half of the frame as Dybacz reached on a fielder's choice before sophomore center fielder Sydney Nesci (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) singled up the middle to advance the runner. The bases became loaded due to a walk to sophomore DP Arianna Exarchakis (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) and Dybacz scored on a throwing error during the next at-bat. One batter later, junior first baseman Audrey Benderski (Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park) doubled to right center, plating both Nesci and Exarchakis and giving the team a quick 3-0 lead.
The team added another run in the bottom of the second as Rinaldi led off with a single up the middle before advancing to third on a single through the right side off the bat of Dybacz. Nesci scored Rinaldi in the next at-bat with a sac fly to left field.
Mercyhurst finally scratched the scoreboard in the top of the third behind a leadoff homerun down the left field line by Reynolds.
The Dolphins took the run right back in their half of the inning, however, as freshman third baseman Ciann Benamati (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) led off the inning with a double to left center, and advanced to third two batters later as Kassap reached on a fielder's choice. Benamati then crossed the plate as sophomore left fielder Gabriella Zarcone (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) reached on a fielder's choice of her own to third base.
Up 5-1, Le Moyne added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth as back-to-back doubles from Benamati and Benderski along with a single to center off the bat of Kassap drove in the two lead runners.
With a chance to end the game early due to the run rule, the Dolphins took full advantage as Rinaldi, sophomore shortstop Shannon Gavigan (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), and Dybacz each singled in consecutive at bats to lead off the inning and load the bases. Despite a pitching change by the Lakers, the Dolphins' offense plated one runner in each of the next two at-bats to go up 9-1 and end the game as Nesci singled through the left side and Exarchakis knocked a sac fly to right field.
Nesci led the charge at the plate going 3-3 while Benderski tallied a pair of hits and three RBI in game one. Seven different Dolphins recorded a hit while the same number came around to score, as well.
In the circle, Ross (10-12) became the first 'Phins pitcher to hit the double-digit win mark this season, cruising through five innings while allowing just one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three in the victory.
Game 2:
Merychurst's DP Lauren Henrich gave the team their first lead of the day in the top of the first as she homered over the left field wall to drive in a pair of runs off of Le Moyne's freshman starter Isabella Kwashek (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford). The Lakers added another run in the top of the second to grab an early 3-0 lead due to a leadoff homerun off the bat of right fielder Alexa North.
The Dolphins came right back in their half of the second, taking the lead thanks to four runs on four hits in the frame. Benamati singled through the left side to open the inning before Benamati immediately drove them both in with a two-run homerun. Kassap then walked to reach base before her pinch runner, junior Alayna Bush (Adams, N.Y./South Jefferson), stole second and came around to score on a single up the middle by Rinaldi. After stealing second, two batters later Rinaldi crossed the plate due to a single up the middle from Dybacz.
Le Moyne added on and took a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth as walks from Rinaldi and Gavigan led to a pair of runs scored on a triple to right field off the bat of Dybacz.
The Lakers stormed back in the top of the fifth to take a 7-6 lead as Henrich smashed her second home run of the day, a three-run shot, early in the inning. North followed later on with a double to right center off Ross, who appeared in relief, to drive in catcher Mackenzie Gillis, who singled two batters earlier. The team added another run in the following inning as center fielder Shai Riemedio singled to lead off and Reynolds followed with a double to right field before Emelie Pascual reached on a fielder's choice that allowed the lead runner to cross the plate.
Three more runs were driven in by Mercyhurst in the top of the seventh as left fielder Karlie Kasten smacked a two-run homer down the right field line and first baseman Jaz Sanders singled to center field to score Riemedio.
Down 11-6 in the bottom of the seventh, the Dolphins put a rally together as Benamati reached on a fielder's choice and Benderski was hit by a pitch before Kassap came up with a two-out single up the middle to score Benamati. In the next at-bat, Zarcone singled up the middle and drove in Benderski's pinch runner, junior Avery Linn (Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge). The final two runs of the game were registered due to a Rinaldi double to right center that drove in both Kassap and Zarcone.
The squad was unable to bring in the tying run and fell, 11-10, in game two of Sunday's doubleheader.
Rinaldi led on offense with four hits while herself and Dybacz each tallied three RBI in the loss. Once again, seven different Dolphins tallied a hit while eight came around to score in game two.
What's Next:
Le Moyne will host Mercyhurst in the rubber match of the series at the Softball Complex tomorrow, Apr. 28 at noon.
