Sparkill, N.Y. – The third-seeded Molloy softball team dropped a hard fought 4-3 contest to the second-seeded Mercy Mavericks this afternoon at Spartan Field in the opening day of the East Coast Conference Championship.

How it Happened

• The Mavericks struck early in the bottom of the first inning as Allison Murphy launched a lead-off home run to left center, putting the home team on the board with a 1-0 lead.
• In the top of the second, the Lions threatened with runners on first and second after a fielder's choice by sophomore Stevie Dabbadie and a single from sophomore Mariah Cepeda, but they were unable to push any runs across.
• In the bottom half of the inning, Jessica Fox singled up the middle and Madilyn Lula drew a walk. Dylan Reyer laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Murphy then delivered again with a two-run single to right center, extending the Mavericks' lead to 3-0.
• The Lions responded in the top of the third with redshirt freshman Alexis Montgomery reaching on an infield single, and junior Emily McGurk moving her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Montgomery then advanced to third on a ground out from junior Mae Savage.
• Senior Natalie Moussa followed with an RBI single up the middle to put the Lions on the board.
• Dabbadie held the Mavericks scoreless in the bottom of the fourth with a quick 1-2-3 inning.
• In the fifth, Montgomery sparked the offense again with a lead off single to second base. She advanced to second on a passed ball and moved to third on a single up the middle by McGurk.
• A sacrifice fly to second base from Savage brought Montgomery home, and Moussa followed with an RBI single to right field to tie the game at 3-3.
• Dabbadie retired the side in order in the bottom of the fifth. In the sixth, the Mavericks put two runners on, but Dabbadie induced a fly out and a ground out to get out of the inning and keep the game tied going into the seventh.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Murphy led off with a single down the right field line and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mia Harris.
• Victoria Seppala worked a walk before Talia Salanto delivered a walk-off single to left field to seal the 4-3 win for the Mavericks.

Top Performances

• Montgomery and Moussa each tallied two hits, with Moussa driving in two runs.
• McGurk, Dusharme, Dabbadie, and Cepeda all contributed a hit.
• Savage recorded an RBI.

 
Up Next
The Lions are set to face the fourth-seeded D'Youville Saints tomorrow (May 2) in an elimination game at Spartan Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.