BRADFORD, P.A. – The Medaille College softball team played their first conference double header of the season against the Pitt-Bradford Panthers. The Mavericks won game one 12-5, and lost game two 0-2.
Game One
The Mavericks started hot right off the bat. Gabrielle Presutti led-off the game with a double to right center just out of reach of the right fielder. Two outs came right after, but Camryn Adimey ended that streak with a walk. Shay Sommer singled to center field, loading up the bases. Brenna Fenstermaker came up next and singled up the middle to score Presutti and Adimey. The last out was a strikeout, and the Mavs were in the lead early, 2-0.
They added another run in the second inning. April Chambers beat out the throw from the shortstop to get on base. There were two outs, and Kylie Lyons singled to center, moving Chambers over. Abbigail Doherty singled up the middle, and Chambers rounded third and scored for the Mavs' third run of the game.
Things were quiet from there until the bottom of the fourth inning. The Panthers finally got some runs in. Their lead-off batter hit a double down the left field line to get things going. The next batter was walked. A grounder was hit to Presutti at shortstop, and she got the lead runner out. Runners were still on first and second with one out. Another walked loaded up the bases. A double was hit to center field and the runners from second and third came in. Runners were still in scoring position. A third walk loaded up the bases again, and one more final walk scored the runner at third. The Panthers tied things up, 3-3.
In the fifth inning, the Panthers took the lead. After a strikeout, their second batter hit a solo homerun over the left field fence. They wouldn't get any more runs across, but the lead was theirs, 4-3.
The Mavericks answered back in the sixth inning. Chambers got things started getting to first on an error. Lyons singled to the shortstop, and runners were on first and second. Doherty hit a grounder to third, and Chambers was out. With two outs, Adimey singled to right field, and drove in Lyons from second. Runners were still on first and second. Sommer was up next and doubled to right field. Both Adimey and Doherty were driven in. Finally, Fenstermaker singled up the middle for the second time, and Sommer scored. The Mavs took back their lead, 7-4.
They added to it in the seventh inning. Audra Marley started off the inning with a walk. Chambers was up next, and bunted for a single. Presutti singled to left field, and Marley scored from second. Runners were on first and second. Lyons stayed hot and singled to center field. Chambers scored on the play. Finally, Sommer hit a rocket over the left field fence, ending in a three-run homer. The Mavs ended their final at bat leading 12-4.
The Panthers were not ready to call it quits in the bottom of the seventh inning. They led-off with a single. An error put two runners on, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly to Sommer in right scored the runner from third, but they couldn't get any more runs across. The Mavs won big, 12-5.
Game leaders for the Mavericks were Sommer going 3-5 with one double, one homerun, five RBI's and two runs scored, Fenstermaker going 3-5 with three RBI's, and Lyons going 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Sarah Hapeman was credited with the win coming in in the second inning. She allowed one hit while striking out two batters.
Game Two
The second game was not as exciting on offense for the Mavericks. They started the game with a quick 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first. The Panthers scored in the bottom of the inning. They got things started with an overthrow, and ended up on second base. They bunted the runner over to third, and a single to right center scored her. They fouled out to Doherty behind the plate, and lined out to Lyons on second, and they ended the inning leading 1-0.
Things were quiet until the third inning. The Panthers scored their final run of the game. They led-off the inning with a single through the left side. A fielder's choice got the lead runner out, but a triple to right center scored her.
The Mavericks were making solid contact with the ball, but could not get any runners across. The Panthers won game two 2-0.
Game leaders for the Mavericks were Doherty going 1-3 with a double, and Kaitlyn Alguire who was credited with the loss. She allowed six hits with only one earned run.
The Mavericks will continue their conference games on Saturday, April 9. They will play a home double header against Penn State Behrend. Game one starts at 1:00 p.m.
