March 20, 2009
Box Score
OSCEOLA, Fla. - The Lafayette softball team finished their stay at the Rebel Spring Games on a high note, claiming both of Friday's games against St. Peter's and Rider.
In their first game, the Leopards (4-10) won a 3-2 decision against St. Peter's (3-8) in nine innings, making up for the 3-1 loss the Peahens handed Lafayette earlier this week. The team continued to roll against Rider with a 5-2 victory.
St. Peter's struck first with a run in the top of the second inning but Lafayette responded in the bottom of the third thanks largely in part to a freshmen duo. Carly Feiro singled up the middle in the leadoff spot. After senior Robyn Matchett advanced Feiro to second with a sacrifice bunt, freshman Gwen Turner doubled to left center, bringing home her classmate.
The score remained tied at 1 at the end of regulation. Though the Peahens' Tricia Reingle and Christie Crowell sacrificed to get Megan Papiemiak home in the top of the eighth, Lafayette knotted the score in the bottom of the inning when Turner scored off a wild pitch.
Amanda Parker reached on a fielder's choice but Kristin Garganio was tagged out at second as the Leopards left three on base to end the inning.
Lafayette held the Peahens scoreless in the top of the ninth and capitalized in the bottom when Parker advanced to third off Feiro's sacrifice bunt. Matchett singled to left field, sending Parker home to seal a 3-2 win.
Against Rider, pitcher Ali Henry made life difficult for the Broncs, allowing just three hits while striking out six in a complete game.
Kasey Karr set the tone in the first inning with a double, picking up an RBI. She later scored to increase the Leopards' lead to 2-0. In the third inning, Karr crossed the plate again after Christina Giambrone doubled. Lafayette scored runs in the next two innings to take a commanding 5-1 lead at the top of the fifth.
Rider's Megan Kozlowski doubled in the bottom of the seventh in the lead-off spot, and though she would score, it would be Rider's final run. Giambrone hit 2-for-3 in the second game while Karr was responsible for three of Lafayette's runs.
The Leopards return to Easton for their home opener on Saturday when they face their first Patriot League opponent, Army, in a weekend double-header beginning at noon.
