April 1, 2008
Box Score -- Game 1 | Box Score -- Game 2
EASTON, Pa. - The Leopards softball team earned both victories in a doubleheader against Rider on Tuesday afternoon at Metzgar Fields. Three Lafayette players registered home runs over the two games, including freshman Kerry Griffin knocking out her first collegiate homer in the 9-1 finale. Freshman Ali Henry held the Broncs to a single hit in the first game, an 8-0 victory, pitching the complete game.
Light rain fell as Lafayette (9-12, 2-2) came up to bat making it difficult for Rider pitcher Lauren Brunner. With two Leopards on base as a result of hit-by-pitch situations, senior Kristen Ruckno hit her third home run of the season. Freshman Stacey Kushner and sophomore Christina Giambrone scored to take the 3-0 Lafayette lead in the first inning.
Sophomore Kasey Karr drilled her second home run of the season over the fence in the third inning to score two runs. The Leopards led 5-0.
In the top of the fourth inning, after Megan Kozlowski popped one up to Ruckno, the senior second basemen made the catch on Day Neutill's foul ball outside the right field line. Brittany Eckett hit one to centerfield where junior Emma Kline made the catch for the final out of the inning.
Karr doubled through middle field allowing freshman Kristin Garganio to score. Garganio came into to pinch run for Griffin who singled up the middle to reach first base. Henry hit a double to bring Karr home for the final run of the 8-0 five inning first game.
Henry (4-5) threw the complete game, allowing one hit and finished with three strikeouts. She was 2-for-3 at bat with one RBI. Brunner (3-5) allowed seven hits and eight runs in four innings pitched for the Broncs.
Junior Robyn Matchett bunted to start the second game, but still reached first base. Kushner followed with another single and Giambrone reached first on a fielder's choice with Kushner out on the play. Ruckno hit her first of two doubles in the second game to bring Giambrone home. Griffin followed with her first collegiate homer to cap off a four run inning for the 4-1 Lafayette advantage.
Ruckno and Griffin both finished the doubleheader going 3-for-5 at bat. Ruckno had two doubles, a home run and six RBI against Rider.
Junior Amanda Parker tripled to right field in her first at bat of the doubleheader. The Leopards would take a 5-1 lead after Parker scored off of Kline's single in the second inning.
Lafayette pulled ahead 6-1 in the third inning after Garganio hit an RBI double into right field. In the fifth inning, Parker doubled into right field allowing senior Sarah Price to score. Garganio scored the final Leopard run off a Matchett single to conclude the game with the 9-1 victory.
Karr (4-5) limited the Broncs to four hits and a single run in five innings for her fourth victory of the season. She was 3-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored at bat. Bennett took the loss for Rider (1-1) after giving up three runs before Holland took over in the third inning.
The Leopards travel to St. Joseph's for a single game tomorrow at 3 p.m. before resuming Patriot League play this weekend against Lehigh. Both doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday are set to begin at noon.
