Softball Splits With Lycoming In Commonwealth Conference Doubleheader

(Game 1) / (Game 2)

Widener played solid for a 4-2 win in game one, but lacked the offense to take game two—which resulted in a 2-0 loss—as it split a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader today against Lycoming.

Jackie Korang (Delran, NJ) got the start in game one and was solid through five complete innings, allowing only two earned runs. The first of two Lycoming runs came in the first inning when pitcher Holly Lansberry (4-9) hit an infield single to shortstop and was moved over on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, centerfielder Amy Cline hit a single through the left side that allowed Lansberry to score. During the play going to home, Cline advanced to second and when she tried for third she was pegged in a 7-2-3-5 sequence.

The Pride (21-15, 5-7 CC) earned that run plus one more back in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Shelby Mackintosh (Lumberton, NJ) got the inning started with a lead-off double to center field and Jess Way (Marlton, NJ) followed by being hit by a pitch for the eighth time this season. Valarie Perretti (Clayton, NJ) drew a walk to load the bases for pitcher Korang (11-7), who reached on a fielding error by the Warrior's shortstop and scored Mackintosh. A groundout advanced each runner one bag and scored Way for the Pride's second run before the end of the inning.

The top of the fifth allowed one more run for the Warriors (10-21, 3-9). First baseman Brie Braga hit a one-out double to right-center field and reached third on a single through the left-side. A sacrifice-fly to centerfield scored Braga for Lycoming's second and last run of this game.

In the flip-side of the inning, Widener saw two runs cross the plate. Second baseman Colleen Orsborn (Drexel Hill, PA) led the inning off with a single through the middle and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Carissa Harris (Douglassville, PA). Jody Salvatore (Williamstown, NJ) hit a blooping single that allowed Orsborn to move to third, Salvatore taking second on the play. Casey Hargadon (Wallingford, PA) drew a walk and with bases loaded Mackintosh was hit on the wrists by a pitch, bringing in a run. Salvatore scored the final Pride run on a groundout to the shortstop.

Christine Mattis (Drexel Hill, PA) was brought into the game in the sixth inning to close out the final two innings, which she did successfully, gaining her first save of the season.

Game two did not have the same outcome for Widener, as it took a 2-0 loss. Mattis (9-6) started the game and saw 4 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs and seven hits. Braga (5-9) started for the Warriors and only allowed the Pride to gain five hits over the full seven innings, striking out five and walking two.

Braga in the top of the second inning hit a double to left center to lead off the inning and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. She scored on a sacrifice fly to right field, which turns out would have been enough to win the game. The Warriors' second run came from a solo lead-off home run down the right-field line hit by shortstop Kristin Steiner in the top of the third inning.

Harris was moved from first base to pitcher mid-way through the fifth inning. Out of nine batters faced, she walked and struck out one and did not allow any hits or runs. Unfortunately, the Pride's offense was unable to snatch a come-from-behind victory and the series ended in a split decision.

Widener on Wednesday hosts Neumann University for a non-conference doubleheader, beginning at 5:00 pm.

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