Rockville Centre, N.Y. – The top-seeded softball team opened the East Coast Conference Tournament this afternoon with a 2-1 victory over fourth-seeded Mercy University. The win sends the Lions into the winner's portion of the bracket and they will face second-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. for the right to advance to Championship Saturday. With the victory, Molloy improved to 29-20 on the season while Mercy fell to 14-27.
How it Happened
- After two scoreless innings of play, the visiting Mavericks would be the first to strike, with a hit by pitch and sacrifice bunt setting Allison Murphy up to score on a single from Avery Miller.
- The Lions responded in the home half of the third inning, with sophomore Emily McGurk walking before advancing to second on a wild pitch.
- Graduate student Emma Bachman legged out a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt before stealing second, putting two runners in scoring position.
- Senior Chrissie Huhn reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases.
- Graduate student Alex Burns sent a ball to short stop, but the Mavericks' catcher missed home plate, giving the left fielder the RBI fielder's choice to tie the game.
- A fourth-straight fielder's choice from freshman Stevie Dabbadie doubled the lead, 2-1.
- Defense would be the name of the game the rest of the way, with the team's combining for just five hits through the final four innings in a victory for the Lions. Both team's outfielders flashed the leather with diving catches from both Dylan Reyer and graduate student Steph Conrade.
Top Performances
- Huhn, Bachman, Conrade, senior Katie Hand and sophomore Mae Savage each tallied a hit in the effort, with Bachman's double going down as the lone extra-base hit.
- Conrade and Bachman each stole a base.
- Freshman Sophia Mariottini pitched all seven innings, striking out six batters, and conceding only one earned run on five hits.
- Burns and Dabbadie each plated one run.
Up Next
The top-seeded Lions will take on the second-seeded Spartans of St. Thomas Aquinas tomorrow (May 3) at 11:00 a.m. at Bob Klein Field.
