March 17, 2008
Box Score vs. Cornell | Box Score vs. Rhode Island
OSCEOLA, Fla. - The Leopards finished the first day in Florida with a shutout victory against Cornell and an 11-3 loss against Rhode Island. In the first game, sophomore Kasey Karr allowed three hits en route to an 8-0 victory on Monday at the Rebel Spring Games. Freshman Ali Henry took the loss in the second game of the afternoon against the Rams.
With the Leopards up to bat first, the Big Red's Ali Tomlinson walked three batters in the first inning. The final batter walked allowed sophomore Christina Giambrone to take an early 1-0 lead. Giambrone finished the game 2-for-3 and scored two runs.
Senior Kristen Ruckno's sacrifice fly to right field brought junior Robyn Matchett home in the top of the third. Karr scored after freshman Stacey Kushner reached first base on a Cornell fielding error. Kushner was left on third base and Lafayette maintained the 3-0 edge at the end of the third.
The Big Red defense tightened up and Lafayette was held scoreless the next two innings. The Leopards responded denying the Big Red a hit in the next four with Karr striking out one batter.
In the top of the sixth, Lafayette began to capitalize on several miscues by the Big Red and scored five runs. Giambrone loaded the bases with a single through right field and advanced to second. Tomlinson walked Matchett, allowing junior Amanda Parker to score after reaching first on an error. Karr made it to first base as a result of another error and junior Emma Kline scored to put the Leopards ahead 5-0.
Ruckno hit a two-run shot into centerfield making it 7-0 Lafayette after Jenn Meunier took over for Tomlinson. Karr scored for the 8-0 final before freshman Kerry Griffin grounded out to close the inning. Ruckno had a game-high three RBI.
Karr got her first win of the season throwing the complete game. The Big Red (8-4) committed six errors and Tomlinson allowed five of the six Lafayette hits in the game.
Lafayette (2-5) lost the second game 11-3 in six innings with Henry evening her mark at 2-2 against Rhode Island (3-13). Parker kept things interesting for the Leopards going 1-for-3 with one run scored, a RBI and two stolen bases. Freshman Christine Hilcken threw the final two innings of the game, making her second appearance in the circle.
Competition continues tomorrow with a 9 a.m. matchup against Wisconsin Green-Bay and afternoon game against Iona at 1 p.m.
