March 26, 2011
Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan took both ends of a softball doubleheader on Saturday. In the first game, the Jaspers pushed two runs across in the fifth to capture a 4-3 decision over Lafayette, and in the nightcap the hosts scored nine runs over the second and third innings in an 11-3 final.
In the opener, Lafayette spotted Manhattan a run in the second, but tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. Mary Episcopo (2-for-3) legged out a one-out triple. Stacey Kushner brought Episcopo the final 60 feet to knot the game.
Manhattan re-took the lead in the home half, scoring Kate Bowen. With the bases loaded and two outs, Monica Evangelista ripped a line drive off the hand of Lafayette starting pitcher Melissa Robinson to score the run. Robinson (3.2 IP, 5H, 2R, 3BB, 4K) was forced to leave the game and was replaced by Christine Hilcken.
The Leopards scored a pair in the top of the fifth. Manhattan starter Erika Sullivan (6H, 1ER, 0BB, 4K) retired the first two batters of the inning and looked to leave the fifth unscathed. The Jaspers defense allowed Kerry Griffin to reach on an error. The next batter, Jordan Parsons, jacked a ball out to center for her first round-tripper of the season. Lafayette led 3-2.
In the bottom of the inning, Manhattan (8-11) answered with two runs of its own. An RBI-groundout by Melissa Cascio tied the game at three apiece. With the bases still loaded, Kristina Walraven used an infield single to put the Jaspers ahead 4-3.
Lafayette was retired in order in the sixth. In the final inning, the Leopards put a runner on third base with one out. Stacey Dorn struck out and Gwen Turner line out to end the game.
Hilcken gave up two runs on three hits over 2.1 innings, walking two and striking out two in the loss (0-1). Sullivan (4-2) collected the win.
In the second game at Gaelic Park, Manhattan outscored the Leopards 11-3 over the first three innings and secured a victory by the same margin after five innings.
Kushner was the big bat for the Leopards in the opening innings, driving in a run with a single in the first and doubling and scoring on a Madeline Allen sac fly in the third inning. Parsons doubled and scored on a passed ball in the second.
Meanwhile, Manhattan scored a two in the first and then broke open the game with four in the second and five in the third. Melissa Donnelly, who singled in a run in the first, hit a three-run home run for the Jaspers in the second. Evangelista and Ashley Rampino each doubled in two runs and Jaci Rahey double in one more.
Rampino (7H, 2ER, 2BB, 2K) notched the win while Lauren Hasson (6H, 8R, 5BB, 5K) was handed the loss to go to 0-4.
Lafayette (1-20) will open Patriot League play on April 2, hosting a four-game series with Holy Cross beginning at noon.
