Rockville Centre, N.Y. – The softball team hosted its home opener and first East Coast Conference match up of the season this afternoon against D'Youville. The Lions rallied for a 5-4 victory in game one but came up short in game two, falling 5-3. With the split, the Lions now hold a 6-10 (1-1 ECC) record, while the Saints move to 7-5 (1-1 ECC).
Game One: Molloy 5, D'Youville 4
How it Happened
- After two scoreless innings, D'Youville broke the seal by scoring four runs on four hits in the top of the third.
- Molloy would put runners in scoring position in both the third and fourth innings before finally breaking through in the fifth.
- Sophomore Amaya Page started the inning off with a double to right center field before redshirt freshman Alexis Montgomery legged out an infield single. A walk to junior Emily McGurk loaded the bases.
- A two-RBI single from senior Natalie Moussa cut the deficit in half, followed by Cheralyn Dusharme reloading the bases after being hit by a pitch.
- Sophomore Mariah Cepeda reached on a fielding error, allowing the third and final run of the inning to score, making it a 4-3 game.
- A single from Emily Przybysz threatened more damage from the Saints, but McGurk was able to double off the center fielder to keep Molloy within one headed into the bottom of the seventh.
- Moussa drew a walk to set up a walk-off opportunity for Dusharme, who sent the ball clear of the right field fence to clinch the win for Molloy.
Top Performances
- Dusharme and Moussa led the offense, each tallying a hit and two RBIs, with Dusharme recording her first home run of the season.
- Montgomery, McGurk, Dabbadie, and Cepeda each recorded a hit, with Cepeda adding an RBI.
- Page contributed a double.
- McGurk swiped a career-high two bases.
- Moussa pitched 4.1 innings in relief, striking out two batters.
Game Two: D'Youville 5, Molloy 3
How it Happened
- The Saints took an early lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a fielding error.
- Molloy quickly responded in the bottom of the first, leveling the score on a wild pitch and a defensive misplay.
- A fielder's choice allowed Summer Clark to reach base before scoring on another fielding error, putting the visitors ahead 2-1.
- A sacrifice fly in the fifth inning extended D'Youville's lead to 3-1, followed by a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 5-1.
- With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, McGurk kept the Lions alive with a double to center field.
- Three consecutive singles from Moussa, Dusharme, and Dabbadie cut the deficit to 5-3, but the Lions' rally fell short.
Top Performances
- Dabbadie and Page each recorded two hits, with Dabbadie driving in a run.
- Moussa added a hit and an RBI.
- McGurk, Dusharme, and Wegel each tallied a hit, including a double from McGurk.
- Dabbadie pitched 2.0 innings in relief, striking out two batters.
Up Next
The Lions are back home tomorrow (Mar. 22) to host Southern New Hampshire at 11 a.m. at Bob Klein Field.
