Clearwater, Fla. – The softball team opened the season at the NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic, going 1-1 on the afternoon.
Game 1: Lee University 8, Molloy College 1
- The Flames struck first, taking a 2-0 lead after a bunt scored Zoe Miller. Claudia Jones stole home the following at bat.
- A five-run third inning set the Lions behind, 7-0.
- In the bottom of the six, three straight walks to freshman Amanda King, sophomore Tonianne Larson, and senior Tara Byrnes set up a sacrifice fly for freshman Adriana Saab to put Molloy on the board.
- The maroon and white were unable to bridge the gap in the bottom of the seventh, dropping the game, 8-1.
- Sophomore Courtney Greene went 3.2 innings, allowing three runs in the loss. Larson pitched 3.1 innings in relief, striking out five.
- Redshirt sophomore Mikaela Tribby led the Lions at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Byrnes and senior Kaitlyn Snyder recorded the other two hits for Molloy.
Game 2: Molloy College 4, California University of PA 2
- Sophomore Sarah Glaser led off the game with a single, stealing second on the next at bat.
- A ground out from Tribby moved the left fielder to third base before scoring after an error by Cal's second baseman to give the Lions a 1-0 lead after the first inning of play.
- Byrnes started off the second inning with a single to left field, moving to third after a single from freshman Angelique Serrano.
- A walk to Glaser loaded the bases for Tribby, who reached on an error by the Vulcans and allowed both Byrnes and Serrano to score to give Molloy a 3-0 lead.
- In the top of the sixth, walks to Byrnes and Glaser paired with Snyder being hit by a pitch loaded the bases. A wild pitch brought Byrnes home and set the score at 4-0.
- The Vulcans got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning with a home run.
- Turato tossed 6.2 innings in the win, striking out five batters while allowing six hits and one run.
- Snyder, Greene, Byrnes, freshman Lauren Ramos, and Serrano each recorded hits.
Coach's Comments
"It was nice to be able to finally get outside and to be able to pick up a win," stated head coach
Susan Cassidy-Lyke. "We saw a lot of good things from our younger players as well as our veterans, but we know that we have things to build on going forward."
Looking Ahead
Molloy continues action tomorrow (Feb. 9) against Florida Tech at 10:00 a.m.
