Clinton, S.C. – The Le Moyne College softball team continued their series at the Blue Hose Invitational and faced off against Morehead State on Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins exploded offensively and earned their first win of the season, 19-16, over the Eagles.
Following a scoreless top of the first for Le Moyne, Morehead State came out of the gate in their half of the inning and struck for five runs on five hits off of sophomore starter Isabella Kwashek (West Deptford, N.J. / West Deptford) and one fielding error by the Dolphins.
Le Moyne came back out in the top of the second and immediately took the lead, scoring nine runs on nine hits, one walk, and a fielding error by the Eagles. Sophomore catcher Ava Todd (Savannah, N.Y. / Tyburn Academy), junior shortstop Shannon Gavigan (Havertown, Pa/Haverford), junior right fielder Sydney Nesci (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse), and junior second baseman Molly Wolf (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) all record RBIs in the inning as 14 batters came up to-bat in the process.
Morehead added one run off a single from shortstop Sela Pickford in the second before sophomore Danni Simpson (Marietta, G.A./Sprayberry) came in to relieve Kwashek in the circle for the Dolphins in the bottom of the second inning. The Eagles registered again on a two-run homer off the bat of catcher Sydney Farmer one batter later, lessening their deficit to one run, 9-8, by the end of the frame.
The Dolphins re-extended their lead in the top of the third as Gavigan walked to lead off before senior first baseman Audrey Benderski (Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park) did the same to put runners on first and second two at-bats later. A fly-out from Nesci advanced both runners into scoring position just before junior DP Arianna Exarchakis (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) reached on a fielding error that allowed both players on the paths to come home and score.
Le Moyne added seven runs in the following inning on eight hits to take a commanding 18-8 lead over Morehead State. RBIs from senior left fielder Avery Linn (Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge), sophomore third baseman Cianna Benamati (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and Benderski paved the way in the frame for the 'Phins.
The Eagles continued to trickle in runs to lessen the deficit over the next three innings as freshman pitcher Tatum Nessman (Calgary, Alberta / National Sport School) came into the game with one out in the fourth.
Following two scoreless innings for Le Moyne's offense, Gavigan drove in the 'Phins final run in the top of the 7th on an RBI sac fly to right field which allowed freshman pinch runner Camryn Shenk (Rome, N.Y. / Camden) to score from third. Shenk appeared in relief of Todd on the bases who singled to third base to lead-off the inning.
A bottom of the 7th solo homerun off the bat of second baseman Sage VanDermark marked the final run of the game, as the Dolphins were able to hold on defensively and secure their first win of the season, 19-16.
Sophomore center fielder Maddie Martin (Carlisle, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) led Le Moyne in the box, going 4-5 with two runs scored and three stolen bases in the win. Benamati and Todd (two doubles) each had three hits apiece while Linn, Gavigan, Nesci, and Exarchakis all added a pair of hits, as well.
Gavigan and Exarchakis each drove in three runs while Benamati, Linn, and Wolf registered two RBIs apiece in the game.
Kwashek allowed seven runs (four earned) on six hits while striking out one in 1.1 innings in the start. Simpson tosses 2.0 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out a pair in middle relief. Nessman earned the win and allowed four earned runs on seven hits and two walks in 3.2 innings to close out the victory for Le Moyne.
What's Next:
Le Moyne (1-2) will close out their trip to Clinton, S.C. with one game against Western Michigan at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.
