Molloy University Athletics

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Apr. 18, 2015) - The Molloy College softball team defeated Mercy College in a doubleheader this afternoon, by the final scores of 5-2 and 9-1. At the end of play today, the Lions improved to 22-20 overall and 17-5 in the East Coast Conference, while the Mavericks fell to 8-31 (7-15 ECC). In both games the Lions were aided by the long ball -- hitting four in total.

Game 1: Molloy 5, Mercy 2
In game one, the Lions went out in front early on a home run from senior Victoria Gunnels (North Bellmore, N.Y.), which made it, 2-0. In the third, Mercy grabbed two of those runs back on a two-run single from Jackie Couillard, tying the game at 2-all. In the fifth frame, the Lions scored twice on freshman Olivia Banulski's (Bristol, Conn.) sacrifice fly, which scored sophomore Ashley Fedor (Monroe, Conn.), and sophomore Erin Clinton's (Long Beach, Calif.) RBI single. Clinton's base knock plated junior Tracey Balinskas (Edison, N.J.), changing the score to 4-2 in favor of Molloy. One inning later, the Lions scored their final run off the bat of Balinskas, who singled through the right side scoring rookie Alicia Parenty (Wantagh, N.Y.). 

In the circle, Balinskas went the complete game, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out eight batters. She improves to 11-8 on the year.

Game 2: Molloy 9, Mercy 1 (5 innings)
In game two, the Lions were led by the bat of Balinsksas, who hit two home runs. Balinskas' first homer came in the first inning in the form of a two-run shot to left field. In the third, Molloy hit another dinger -- this time off the bat of Gunnels. After the home run, senior Brianne Catalano (Franklin Square, N.Y.) singled home rookie Brianna Dalton (Northampton, Pa.), changing the score to 4-0. The Lions made it 6-0 after Banulski smacked a ground-rule double scoring Catalano and fellow rookie Alexandra Russo (Coram, N.Y.). Balinskas capped off the scoring for the Lions with a three-run homer to deep left field, giving Molloy a 9-0 advantage. The only run the Mavericks scored was in the fourth inning on a solo homer from Couillard.

Sophomore pitcher Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) went four innings giving up only one run on two hits while striking out three.

Head Coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke and the Lions return to action on Monday, April 20 when they face Queens College in Flushing, N.Y. for a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.