Feb. 25, 2011
Box Score
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Lafayette softball team opened the 2011 season on Friday night with a 7-3 loss to Oakland in the Campus Suites Spartan Classic hosted by USC Upstate.
Oakland, a team from Rochester, Mich. that competes in the Summit League, used a four-run third inning to generate the bulk of its offense. Kylie Schalz belted a three-run triple to right field. She put the Golden Grizzlies' fourth run on the board, when she scored on fielder's choice. Oakland led 5-0.
In the bottom of the third, the Leopards responded with three runs. Carly Feiro (2-for-4) and Gwen Turner set the stage for junior transfer Mary Episcopo who smashed a three-run homer to center. The Leopards left two runners on to end the inning trailing 5-3.
Oakland added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings on RBI-singles from Kelsey Krych and Marisa Everitt.
The Leopards threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Episcopo (3-for-4) and Stacey Kusher (2-for-4) reached base with consecutive singles. Keri Griffin lined into an unassisted doubleplay at first to end the game.
Freshman Melissa Robinson took the ball in her first collegiate game, surrendering seven runs on 13 hits with a pair of strikeouts. Alison Tansel (1-2) was the mound winner, allowing three runs on 11 hits over seven for the 4-6 Golden Grizzlies.
Lafayette will play two games on Saturday, facing La Salle at 11 a.m. and host USC Upstate at 3 p.m. at Cyrill Stadium.
