April 2, 2003
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette softball team picked up its first Patriot League win of the season after splitting its doubleheader with Army on Wednesday afternoon. The Black Knights captured game one, 6-1, but Lauren Belowich pitched the Leopards to a 6-3 win in game two.
In the opener, Lindsay March walked and later scored on a double steal to give the Black Knights an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Then in Army's half of the third, Darcy Wilson singled up the middle to score Lauren Gobar who led off the inning with a base hit to right.
Army increased its lead to 4-0 in the fourth when Nikki Posey and Lindsey Romack scored on an error.
Lafayette didn't get on the board until the sixth inning. Mara Shainheit legged out an infield single and then pinch hitter Amy Magos followed with a single to left. Meghan Davis reached on a fielder's choice, forcing Magos out. But then Becky Foley drew a walk to load the bases with only one out. Diane Mitchell then singled to right, scoring Shainheit, but the Leopards were unable to score any more and left the bases loaded.
Army tacked on two more runs on three hits in the top half of the seventh to win game one. Ashlie Christian picked up the win for the Black Knights after throwing four innings of two-hit ball before being relieved by Leigh Harrell.
Jackie Fitzgerald took the loss for the Leopards, getting tagged for 10 hits and six runs while striking out four.
In the nightcap, it was Lafayette who jumped out to the early lead with two runs in the home half of the first. Gianna Lopreato was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a groundout. Then Shainheit beat out another infield single to put runners at first and third. Lopreato scored on a wild pitch and Becky Foley singled down the left field line to score Shainheit and give the Leopards a 2-0 lead.
Belowich pitched two perfect innings to start the game and didn't allow her first hit until the third inning when Romack laid down a perfect bunt that plated Nikki Posey who reached on a fielder's choice. Celia Nowicki walked and later scored on an error to tie the game at 2-2.
Army went ahead in the fourth inning as the Black Knights manufactured a run. Gobar walked and advanced to second on an error. Wilson sacrificed her to third and then Lisa Huntington delivered a single to left to put the Black Knights up 3-2.
Lafayette countered in its half of the fourth as Danielle Bernotsky got things started with a line drive to left. Samantha Lucas belted a double to left center to score Bernotsky and tie the score at 3-3.
Lucas would deliver again for the Leopards in the fifth inning. With runners at first and third, Lucas smacked a line drive up the middle to score Bernotsky with the go-ahead run, making the score 4-3.
Lafayette added two insurance runs in the sixth, as Foley and Davis each had RBI singles giving the Leopards a 6-3 lead.
Army made things interesting in the top of the seventh. With a runner at first and two outs, Belowich walked Posey and Romack followed with a single to load the bases. But, Belowich recovered and got March swinging to end the game.
Belowich scattered four hits and struck out eight in earning the win. She improved to 3-6 on the season and leads the Leopards with a 2.69 ERA.
Bailey Stripling was saddled with the loss, surrendering six hits and three runs in two and two-thirds innings.
Foley finished game two 3-for-4 with two RBI, while four other Leopards registered multi-hit games, including Lucas with the tying and go-ahead RBI.
Lafayette (4-14, 1-3) returns to Patriot League action this weekend with Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders at Bucknell. Game time both days is set for 12 p.m.
