ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Mar. 30, 2017) – The Molloy softball team fell in a doubleheader to Adelphi University, falling to 11-9 on the 2017 season. The first game, a 1-0 pitcher's duel, took nine innings to decide before the Lions fell 10-2 in the second game.

Game One: Molloy 0, Adelphi 1
Molloy was held without a hit through the first two innings as senior Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) and Lindsay Mapes (Centerburg, Ohio) combined to retire 16 of the first 17 batters of the contest. The maroon and white received their first baserunner of the contest on a single from sophomore Kaitlyn Snyder (Smithtown, N.Y.). The short stop advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior Chrissy Heyer (Brooklyn, N.Y.). A single from junior Olivia Banulski (Bristol, Conn.) pushed Snyder to third. The Lions would leave the bases loaded without scoring a run.
The Panthers would get their first hit of the evening to start the fourth inning, as Nicolette Cuccio (Dingsman Ferry, Pa.) singled to left. Hawks forced two pop outs and added a strikeout to keep Adelphi from scoring.

The pitchers would continue battling, and the score remained 0-0 through seven innings. In the top of the ninth inning, junior Brenna Martini (Fairfield, Conn.) drew a walk, advancing to third on a double from Nicole Camera (Metuchen, N.J.). Martini would come home for the game's lone run after a passed ball to put the Panthers ahead. In the bottom half of the inning, juniors Tiana Deoliveira (Mastic, N.Y.) and Alexandra Russo (Coram, N.Y.) both singled. In the next at bat, Snyder singled to right field. Deoliveira rounded third, but was thrown out at the plate. Molloy was not able to tie the contest, and fell 1-0 in nine innings.

Synder went 3-for-4 on the day while Bansulski went 2-for-4. Hawks pitched a complete nine innings, surrendering only three hits while striking out 11 batters.

Game Two: Molloy 2, Adelphi 10
The Panthers exploded in the third inning of the second game. Cuccio sent a leadoff double down the left field line before a Martini walk and a single from Camera loaded the bases for Lauren Sandelier (Washington Township, N.J.). The sophomore sent the ball over the left field wall for a grand slam to put Adelphi up 4-0. Adelphi added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning on a double from Kailah Konkel (Eastport, N.Y.) and a single from Krista King (Franklin Square, N.Y.) to make it 6-0. In the sixth inning, a single from Stephanie Staiano (East Meadow, N.Y.) brought in three runs to pit the Panthers up 9-0.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Lions needed two runs to send the game to seven innings. Sophomore Tara Byrnes (Huntington, N.Y.) pinch hit, singling to third base. Graduate student Milan Botte (San Diego, Calif.) bunted her way to first base, advancing Byrnes. Freshman Sarah Pezzotti (Massapequa, N.Y.) also was sent to the plate to pinch hit. The rookie sent the ball to the second baseman, who botched the catch and sent the ball into shallow right field. Botte and Byrnes both came around to score to cut the deficit to 9-2.

The Panthers added a run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run from Martini. In the bottom half of the seventh, junior Sarah Rambo (Eagleville, Pa.) singled up the middle, advancing to third on a double from Banulski. The Lions would ultimately fall 10-2, unable to bring the runs home.

Botte went 2-for-3 at the plate for Molloy. Sophomore Jenna Turato (Garden City South, N.Y.) went 4.1 innings, totaling three strike outs and 11 hits. Junior Makayla Harris (Berlin, Conn.) pitched 2.2 innings in relief, striking out three batters.

The Lions welcome Mercy College to Bob Klein Field on Saturday (Aprl. 1) at 12:00 p.m.