Syracuse, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College softball team hosted FDU in a doubleheader to open their three-game weekend set on Friday afternoon. The Dolphins fell, 4-3, in game one before coming away with a walk-off, 11-3, victory in six innings in game two.

Game 1:
Following a pair of shutout innings for Le Moyne's sophomore starter Isabella Kwashek (West Deptford, N.J. / West Deptford), the Knights got on the board first in the top of third inning as first baseman Ayden Stone singled to right field to drive in catcher Dimitra Milonopoulos from second base before DP Amanda Jupinka scored Stone with an RBI single to center.

The Dolphins responded quickly in their half of the frame as junior second baseman Avery Linn (Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge) reached on a fielder's choice before being driven in on a game-tying two-run homer off the bat of freshman left fielder Kayla Dunkerley (Purcellville, Va. / Loudon Valley).

Le Moyne took their only lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth as junior right fielder Sydney Nesci (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) connected on the team's second homerun, a solo shot to left field to put them ahead, 3-2.

It took until the top of the seventh for FDU to add to their run total as shortstop Zoe Milonopoulos singled to center field to score left fielder Sofia Spatocco to tie the game once again. The visitors reclaimed the lead, 4-3, on a single from second baseman Brianna Holguin that scored pinch runner Hannah Alonso from third.

Despite getting a runner on, the Dolphins were unable to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh and fell in game one of the conference doubleheader.

Kwashek tossed a complete game, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three in 7.0 innings in the circle.

Game 2:
FDU cracked the scoreboard first again in game two, plating a run in the top of the first as center fielder Madison Rishel singled to left center off of freshman starter Tatum Nessman (Calgary, Alberta / National Sport School) before stealing third and scoring on the throw.

The 'Phins tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third as Linn singled up the middle and moved to second on an infield groundout from Dunkerley before junior Molly Wolf (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) worked a clutch pinch-hit double to score the runner.

Le Moyne took the lead in the following inning as back-to-back singles from senior first baseman Audrey Benderski (Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park) and sophomore third baseman Cianna Benamati (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) gave way to an RBI single to right field off the bat of junior DP Arianna Exarchakis (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury). 

Two batters later, freshman shortstop Coral Enscoe (Webster, N.Y. / Bishop Kearney) reached on a fielder's choice which allowed junior pinch runner Gabriella Zarcone (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) to come home from third.

Holding a 3-1 advantage, the 'Phins' added on in the fifth, scoring five runs on three hits and one error by the Knights. The hosts loaded the bases early in the inning before Benderski reached on a fielder's choice that scored Dunkerley from third just two at-bats before Exarchakis worked a bases-loaded walk to put the team ahead, 5-1. 

The big hit came later in the inning as freshman Adrianna Laraway (Colonie, N.Y. / Colonie) was tabbed to enter the game as a pinch-hitter and connected on a bases-clearing double to extend Le Moyne's lead to seven runs, 8-1.

FDU closed the gap to five runs, 8-3, in the top of the sixth inning as Spatocco worked an RBI single before Z. Milonopoulos doubled to left center to score Spatocco from second base.

Dunkerley reached base on a hit-by-pitch to lead-off the bottom of the inning before sophomore center fielder Maddie Martin (Carlisle, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) got on with a bunt single to the pitcher. Two batters later, Benderski closed the game out in walk-off fashion with a three-run homer to deep left center that put the Dolphins ahead by eight runs in the sixth.

Benderski and Martin led the team with a pair of hits each with the first baseman registering a game-high four RBI in the win. 

Nessman hurled all 6.0 innings for Le Moyne, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters. 

What's Next:
Le Moyne will look to close out the series win in the rubber match against FDU at noon tomorrow, Sunday, Apr. 4.