Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Apr. 14, 2015) – On Tuesday afternoon, the Molloy College softball team improved to 17-20 overall and 12-5 in the East Coast Conference with a doubleheader sweep of the New York Institute of Technology, 4-3 and 5-4. With the losses, the Bears drop to 17-20 (11-9 ECC).
Prior to today's first pitch, the Molloy College softball program honored and recognized its three graduating seniors: Brianne Catalano (Franklin Square, N.Y.), Victoria Gunnels (North Bellmore, N.Y.) and Brenda Lee (Corona, Calif.). All three players have been a part of the Lions' roster since the Fall of 2011.
Game 1: Molloy 4, NYIT 3
The Bears scored two unearned runs in the top of the first inning to take a quick lead. That advantage lasted for four innings until the Lions put two runs of their own on the scoreboard via a two-run homer from freshman Alexandra Russo (Coram, N.Y.). Sophomore Erin Clinton (Long Beach, Calif.) scored ahead of Russo.
In the next half inning, NYIT scored the go-ahead run, but that lead was short-lived as in the bottom of the sixth, Molloy junior Tracey Balinskas (Edison, N.J.) blasted a two-run home run to right field, scoring freshman Olivia Banulski (Bristol, Conn.). Molloy protected that 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh and won.
In the circle, Balinskas threw the complete game, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits. She evened her record at 8-8 and lowered her season's ERA to 3.84.
Game 2: Molloy 5, NYIT 4
A two-run homer in the first gave the second contest of the day a similar feel to the opener. Two innings later, Molloy scored four runs, started off by a solo shot off sophomore Ashley Fedor's (Monroe, Conn.) bat. The second run in the inning came when Banulski scored via a wild pitch. Following up the underclassman, senior Victoria Gunnels (North Bellmore, N.Y.) put an exclamation point on the bottom of the third when she rocketed a 2-0 pitch over the left center wall to score herself and freshman Brianna Dalton (Northampton, Pa.).
NYIT plated two runs to tie the game at 4-all in the fifth with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single. In the sixth, Molloy Head Coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke went to her bench and pinch-hit with rookie Taylor Curran (Seaford, N.Y.). Curran rewarded Cassidy-Lyke's decision with a go-ahead sacrifice fly, scoring Russo.
Sophomore hurler Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) went the distance and struck out five to improve her season's record to 8-7 and lower her ERA to 3.33.
Head Coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke and the Lions return to the field on Thursday to play at the University of Bridgeport beginning at 3 p.m.
