DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (May 4, 2017) – The Molloy softball team fell to New York Institute of Technology, 3-0, in the opening contest of the East Coast Conference Softball Tournament. Junior catcher Alexandra Russo (Coram, N.Y.) went 2-for-2 with a team-high two hits in the effort.

The game remained scoreless through the first four innings as neither team were able to string together consecutive hits. Jessica Daniel (Lake Forest, Calif.) broke the ice with a single to left field to score the first run of the contest. Josephine Santagata (Brentwood, N.Y.) doubled the Bears' lead in the next at bat with a single down the line to make it 2-0.

In the sixth inning, NYIT threatened to add to their lead, loading the bases with one out. Sophomore Jenna Turato (Garden City South, N.Y.) forced Sydney Kratzert (Tucson, Ariz.) to foul out to Russo before Christine Rizzacasa (North Bellmore, N.Y.) flew out to short stop Brianna Dalton (Northampton, Pa.) to end the inning with no runs crossing the plate. The Bears would add to their lead in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI double from Tiffany McCracken (Murrieta, Calif.). The maroon and white were unable to overcome the deficit in the home half of the inning and fell 3-0.

Following the game, seven members of the maroon and white were recognized as All-Conference with senior Chelsea Hawks (Wading River, N.Y.) being named the ECC Pitcher of the Year. For a full release on the 2017 All-Conference selections, please click here.

Molloy will face #4 LIU Post in an elimination contest on Saturday (May 6) at Bob Klein Field in Rockville Centre, N.Y. at 5:00 p.m.