Feb. 27, 2009

Saint Francis Softball Team Suffers Two Defeats on First Day at FGCU Tournament

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Dartmouth rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand the Saint Francis softball team its third final at-bat loss in six games, 3-2, on Friday afternoon in the first game of the Florida Gulf Coast University Spring Break Tournament.

In the nightcap, Florida Gulf Coast scored six runs in the first inning on its way to defeating the Red Flash 11-0 in five innings. Senior Janelle McCoy (New Paris, Pa. / Chestnut Ridge) had SFU’s only hit in the game.

Dartmouth 3, Saint Francis 2

After the Big Green jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a two-out, solo home run by Alyssa Parker in the bottom of the fourth inning, Saint Francis bounced right back to tie it up in the next half inning.

Senior Hillary McNelis (Tyrone, Pa. / Tyrone) started it off with a leadoff single, and was pinch ran for by junior Stephanie Griffin (Dupont, Pa. / Pittston Area). Junior Jamie Dixon (Revloc, Pa. / Central Cambria) moved her over to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then Griffin used her speed to take third base on a foul out to first base. Freshman Paige Smith (Saugus, Calif. / Valencia) plated Griffin with a single to right field.

Neither team scored before the end of the seventh inning to force extra innings. The teams got to place a runner on second base beginning in the eighth inning in accordance with international rules.

It was Saint Francis which struck next in the top of the ninth inning. McCoy took second base to start the inning, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior Kelly Slingwine (Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine Richland). Senior Kara Stroup (Valencia, Pa. / Mars) plated McCoy with an RBI groundout to give the Red Flash a 2-1 lead.

But the Big Green rallied in the bottom of the ninth, getting an RBI double from Leigha Clarkson and an RBI single by Parker.

Senior Laura Caldwell (Bellefonte, Pa. / Bellefonte) suffered the loss, going 8 2/3 innings and giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits. She struck out three and walked two. McNelis had two hits for Saint Francis.

Florida Gulf Coast 11, Saint Francis 0 (5 innings)

The Eagles improved to 15-4 overall on the season with their two wins on the day. Samantha Waldron had the big blow in their six-run first inning with a three-run home run.

Junior Jerrica Smith (Breezewood, Pa. / Everett) suffered the loss in giving up eight runs on seven hits in one inning of work. McCoy slapped a double in the third inning, but was left stranded at third base.