CLERMONT, Fla. (Mar. 11, 2017) – The Molloy softball team split the opening series of the PFX Spring Games, falling 8-5 to Southern New Hampshire University in Game One before besting the Penmen 7-3 in Game Two.

Game One: Molloy 5, SNHU 8
The Lions fell behind early as the Penmen went up 2-0 after the first inning. Sophomore Erin Garczynski (Norwood, Mass.) singled through the middle. An error by Molloy's centerfielder allowed junior Brittany Perdigao (Stoughton, Mass.) to cross the plate. Freshman Erin Tyrell (Milford, N.H.) singled up the middle in the next at bat to score SNHU's second run of the inning.

The lead would hold until the bottom of the third, when a double from graduate student Milan Botte (San Diego, Calif.) scored junior Olivia Banulski (Bristol, Conn.) to cut the deficit to just one run.
Southern New Hampshire responded in the top of the third with five runs of their own to go up 7-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Banulski led off with a triple to right centerfield and was brought home on an RBI single from senior Ashley Fedor (Monroe, Conn.). The third baseman would advance to third on a fielding error by SNHU's first baseman and score on an error by the second baseman to cut the lead to 7-4. Freshman Mikaela Tribby (Boca Raton, Fla.) would also cross home plate as a result of an error and the maroon and white ended the inning down 7-4.

The Penmen added an extra insurance run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single from senior Devan Rabidou (Ashland, Mass.). In the bottom of the seventh, Botte advanced to third on a single from Tribby. The graduate student would score following an error by the shortstop, bringing the Lions to within three, 8-5. The rally was not to be, however, as Molloy was unable to bridge the gap.

Senior pitcher Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) fell to 1-3 on the year, going four innings and striking out three batters. Junior Makayla Harris (Berlin, Conn.) retired nine of her 12 batters via ground outs through three innings of work. Banulski and Botte each went 2-of-3 at the dish for the Lions.

Game Two: Molloy 7, SNHU 3
Molloy went ahead early in the second contest, as a single from Tribby scored Botte in the top of the first. The Lions added another run in the top of the third on an RBI single from junior Tiana Deoliveira (Mastic, N.Y.). The Penmen responded with three runs in the bottom-half of the inning as freshman Hannah Neverett (Nashua, N.H.) stole home before Perdigao and Katie Horiuchi (Livingston, N.J.) both scored on an error.

In the top of the fourth, junior Alexandra Russo (Coram, N.Y.) led off with a single through the left side. Junior Sarah Rambo (Eagleville, Pa.) followed up with a single to the right side, putting two runners on for sophomore Kaitlyn Snyder (Smithtown, N.Y.). The leftfielder laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position, allowing Banulski to drive them both home with a double to left field. The Lions made it 5-3 on an RBI double from junior Brianna Dalton (Northampton, Pa.).

The maroon and white would add two more runs, first on a sacrifice fly from Snyder in the top of the fifth inning before Rambo scored junior Chrissy Heyer (Brooklyn, N.Y.) in the top of the seventh.
Sophomore Jenna Turato (Garden City South, N.Y.) earned her fourth victory of the season, throwing a complete game with four strikeouts, allowing only one earned run. Dalton and Rambo each went 3-of-4 for Molloy.

The Lions continue their appearance in the PFX Spring Games with a doubleheader against Stonehill College tomorrow (Mar. 12) at 8:00 a.m.