Molloy University Athletics

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLERMONT, Fla. (Mar. 14, 2015) - The Molloy College softball team has been raring to get back into game action as the Lions last played an official contest on February 8 in Tucson, Ariz at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Following a month of practice and Northeast snowstorms, the Lions hit the Sunshine State for some head-to-head play starting with the Yellow Jackets of American International College on Saturday. In Game 1, the Lions blanked the Yellow Jackets, 6-0, while in Game 2, AIC bested Molloy, 10-2. The Lions are now 2-6, while AIC is 1-7.

Game 1: Molloy 6, AIC 0
The Lions jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when freshman Sarah Rambo (Eagleville, Pa.) singled home fellow rookie Brianna Dalton (Northampton, Pa.). Senior Brianne Catalano (Franklin Square, N.Y.) followed that up with a base knock of her own -- a two-run triple plating senior Victoria Gunnels (North Bellmore, N.Y.) and sophomore Ashley Fedor (Monroe, Conn.). Molloy went on to score in the fifth and sixth frames as well. Rambo and junior Tracey Balinskas (Edison, N.J.) each had RBI singles in those latter innings.

In the circle, Balinskas hurled seven shutout innings for the win -- giving up just two hits and striking out seven batters.  

Game 2: AIC 10, Molloy 2
From the very first inning of Game 2 of the twinbill, the Yellow Jackets controlled this matchup. AIC scored in the first, second, third and fifth frames, amassing 10 runs. The Lions scratched across two runs in the top of the fifth via a two-run homer from senior second baseman Brenda Lee (Corona, Calif.). On Lee's dinger, freshman Olivia Banulski (Bristol, Conn.) scored.

In the circle, sophomore pitcher Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) struggled, surrendering six runs (three earned) in 1.2 innings pitched. Rookie Makayla Harris (Berlin, Conn.) came in out of the bullpen and hurled 2.1 frames, giving up four runs (two earned).

Head Coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke and the Lions return to action tomorrow when they square off against Stonehill College at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. The start times for tomorrow's games are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.  LiveStats will be available on MolloyLions.com.