The only gift April showers brought Fordham’s and Dayton’s softball teams was a tremendous rain delay as the two squads attempted to play a doubleheader Saturday. The teams waited for five-and-a-half hours to eventually split the pair, as the Rams took the opener 4-1 and the Flyers won later in the day, 3-1.
In Game 1, Lauren Nacke was the only Flyer to earn an RBI off of Fordham’s starter Jen Mineau (15-7). Nacke homered to left field in the first to give Dayton its first and only run of the day. Nacke reached base once more in the top of the sixth after singling to right, but was unable to advance to second after her next three teammates struck out.
Fordham took the lead in the bottom of the first on Chelsea Palumbo’s two-run single. Meghan Shager was the Rams’ star hitter for the day, providing a go-ahead home run in the fourth and an RBI in the fifth to give Fordham a 4-1 win.
The Flyers had their revenge in Game 2, winning 3-1. Dayton took the lead when Carlyn Harlow plated Courtney Kutsulis with a single to center in the second inning. Brandy Brown hit a two-run single in the following inning, netting the Flyers a three-run lead. Fordham prevented a scoreless game in the fifth with Jamie LaBovick’s single, which sent Shager home.
GW and URI split
Rhode Island had a season high and low on Friday by dropping its 41st game and winning its first Atlantic 10 contest of the year in a doubleheader against George Washington.
Game 1 proved to be a slugfest, as the two teams totaled 27 hits. In the ninth inning, George Washington’s Kara Clauss hit a triple down the right field line. Thanks to a fielding error, the starting pitcher scored and propelled the Colonials to a 10-9 win. Clauss was also credited with the win by only allowing seven hits and four runs, advancing her record to 10-11.
In Game 2, Rams’ pitcher Sam Bedore (3-10) controlled George Washington’s offense by letting up four hits in her seven innings of work. Clauss was the only Colonials player to earn a run off of the Rhode Island freshman. Clauss reached base after a single to left field, advanced to second once Jordyn O’Donnell was walked and then was platted on Lauren Wilson’s RBI single.
Nicole Massoni, the Rams’ leadoff hitter, set the tone by hitting a homer in the first inning. Brittany Julich followed with a single, but advanced to second when shortstop Katie Terrazas had a throwing error. Fallon Scorpio’s RBI then sent Julich home for a 2-0 lead. Rhode Island secured the 4-1 victory in the bottom of the fifth.
Rhode Island will host La Salle on Friday for an afternoon game, while George Washington faces George Mason at home on Wednesday..
Hackett pitches gem
Charlotte and St. Bonaventure split a doubleheader at McGraw-Jennings field on Friday. Charlotte’s Katy Hackett threw a one-hitter, giving the 49ers a 1-0 win in Game 1, while Diana Phalon was credited for the Bonnies’ 6-3 victory later in the evening.
Maureen Wells had the first and only hit for St. Bonaventure in the bottom of the second in the first game. The first baseman singled to left field, but was left there after Jessenia Andujar fouled out and Ashley Nowak struck out looking. In the sixth inning, Charlotte’s Nikki Gayle scored off Kalie Lang’s fly out to right field, making the score 1-0, where it would stay for the remainder of the game.
Game 2 proved to be more eventful than the pervious contest. The Bonnies tallied their mark on the scoreboard early by accumulating three runs in the first. Charlotte stayed scoreless until Tenaya Tucker’s two-run hit. The senior catcher doubled down the left field line to plate Whitney Williams and Chelsea Ingersoll. St. Bonaventure added insurance in the bottom of the inning by brining in three additional runs. Ingersoll had an RBI single in the top of the sixth, but it was not enough to stop the Bonnies from taking the 6-3 win.
Trevor Bray can be reached at [email protected].
