Rockville Centre, N.Y.- The softball team kicked off conference play this afternoon with a doubleheader split against the reigning East Coast Conference Champions, St. Thomas Aquinas. The Lions took the first game, 2-1, and crawled back from down eight in the second game to fall, 9-8, in game two. Molloy stands at 7-13 (1-1 ECC) and STAC sits at 10-14 (1-1 ECC).
 
Game One: Molloy 2, STAC 1
How it Happened

• Graduate student Steph Conrade started the home half of the first inning with a single through the right side followed by a stolen base.
• Freshman Stevie Dabbadie scored Conrade with a single through the left side giving the Lion's a 1-0 lead.
• A lead off bunt and two passed balls put senior Chrissie Huhn in scoring position to start the bottom of the fifth.
• Conrade's single up the middle brought Huhn home to double Molloy's' lead.
• A lead off double and a single to center field brought St. Thomas Aquinas within one in the top of the seventh inning, but freshman pitcher Sophia Mariottini hung on for the victory.

Top Performances

• Conrade contributed two hits, two stolen bases, and an RBI.
• Huhn put up a two-hit performance.
• Graduate student Emma Bachman and Dabbadie each recorded one hit apiece.
• Mariottini struck out eight batters and allowed only one run to improve to 3-6 on the season.

 
Game Two: STAC 9, Molloy 8
How it Happened

• The Spartans wasted no time in game two, taking a commanding 8-0 lead after four innings of play.
• Facing an early end to the contest via the mercy rule, Huhn plated sophomore Emily McGurk to put a run on the board for the Lions in the home half of the fifth inning.
• Singles from Conrade and Dabbadie followed, ending the fifth inning with the score at 8-3
• STAC added an insurance run with a single up the middle in the sixth inning to regain a six-run lead.
• Junior Cheralyn Dusharme kick started a rally for the Lions with a  lead off double to center field. 
• A single from sophomore Mae Savage, followed by a walk to McGurk loaded the bases.
• Singles from both Huhn and Conrade plated runs before a sacrifice fly from graduate student Alex Burns brought Molloy within three, 9-6.
• Junior Natalie Moussa and senior Brianna Macias each put up a strikeout in the top of the seventh inning before Dusharme caught a runner stealing to end the top of the seventh inning.
• Savage sent a tripe to the center field fence to lead off the Lions' last licks and scored on a sacrifice fly from graduate student Emma Bachman, bringing Molloy within one.
• The Spartans' defense was well-positioned for the final out of the contest at second base to secure the win.

Top Performances

• Conrade led the team with a three-hit performance, adding two stolen bases.
• Huhn, Dusharme, and Savage each put up two hits.
• Dabaddie went 2.2 innings in the loss, allowing three earned runs.
• Senior Brianna Macias struck out four batters in three innings while Moussa tossed 1.1 innings with one strikeout.

Up Next
Molloy continues its series of 10-straight home games at Bob Klein Field with a non-conference game against Georgian Court on Sunday (Mar. 23) at 12:00 p.m.