April 7, 2002
WEST POINT, N.Y. (www.lafayette.edu) -
The Lafayette softball team kept both games close versus Army on Sunday, closing to within two runs in game one and rallying to tie in the nightcap, but the Black Knights prevailed with late runs for 10-3 and 11-2 decisions. The wins completed a four-game sweep for Army in the Patriot League doubleheader in West Point, N.Y.
The Black Knights jumped out to a 5-0 lead after four innings in the opener before Lafayette cut the deficit to 5-3 with a pair of home runs in the fifth. Army's starting pitcher Shauna Evans had built up a one-hitter to go along with seven strikeouts before giving up a solo blast to Leopard leadoff hitter Mara Shainheit and a two-run homer to junior Becky Foley with two outs.
Army responded to score five runs in the sixth inning to catapult to a 10-3 win. Leopard freshman Jackie Fitzgerald was credited with the loss while striking out two batters.
In game two, Army opened the scoring with a single run in the first two innings before Lafayette tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the third and fourth innings. Freshman Danielle Bernotsky and junior Erin Allison knocked in the runs for Lafayette, scoring Shainheit and Foley.
The Black Knights' reliever Bailey Stripling held Lafayette without a hit or a walk while striking out two batters for the remaining two innings. Offensively, Army batted in one run in the fifth and eight runs in the sixth inning to end the game by means of the mercy rule.
Shainheit led Lafayette (2-17, 0-8) with a 2-for-3 effort from the plate. Allison and Bernotsky each had a hit and an RBI on the day.
The Black Knights collected 14 hits in the second game including Bianca Brito, who was 5-for-8 with four runs and two RBIs in the doubleheader.
Lafayette returns home for a six-game home stand beginning with Villanova on Thursday 3 p.m.
