April 9, 2014
EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette softball ran into some stiff pitching on Wednesday, dropping a pair of games by identical scores of 3-0 to Delaware. Allison Brown collected two hits on the day for the Leopards. Lindsey Cherry struck out seven in the circle in a losing effort in game two.
The top of the Blue Hen lineup got to Lafayette starter Melissa Robinson early in game one. Jessica Grisler hit a lead-off double before being plated two batters late by Sarah Bencivenga. With two outs Gabby Klecko knocked a two-RBI single through the left side as Delaware led 3-0.
From there it was a pitchers' duel. Robinson (2-11) surrendered four hits over the next five innings of work, before Bryn Gornick entered in the top of the seventh. Gornick gave up a lead-off walk and then retired the next three Delaware batters.
The Maroon and White threatened in the bottom of the third when Kristen Berger sent a two-out double deep to right field, however Lafayette was unable to score. The Leopards put together another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the sixth. Amy Gebhardt led off the frame with a single and Brown singled to left later in the inning to place two runners on with two outs. The Blue Hens were able to get out of the inning unscathed.
Trailing by three in bottom of the seventh, Lafayette was retired in the first two plate appearances of the frame before Jenna Kulback doubled to right center. Stephanie Schreiber grounded out to the pitcher to end the game.
Delaware pitcher Kelly Lupton (6-4) went the distance for Blue Hens, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out five.
The night cap was more of the same stingy pitching. Lafayette (4-23) was the first team to put together a rally in the bottom of the fourth. Brown and Jenna Kulback reached on base hits with two outs, but a groundout ended the threat.
Delaware (18-17) broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning, plating two runs. Cherry hit the first batter of the inning and walked the next. The Blue Hens succeeded on a double steal attempt and Kulback threw the ball into left field to bring one run home. Delaware singled home a second run later in the inning.
The Blue Hens added another run in the top half of the seventh to increase their lead to 3-0 entering the bottom of inning. Kulback led off the home seventh, reaching on a throwing error by the pitcher. Jenna Orlando advanced to first on a fielder's choice with two outs to bring up the tying run in Schreiber. Delaware pitcher, Caroline Szymanski, retired the sophomore on a groundout to end the game.
Szymanski (10-9) went the distance, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out three. Cherry (1-7) threw five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth. She finished the game allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings. She struck out seven and walked two.
The Leopards host Colgate in a three-game Patriot League weekend series. First pitch for the doubleheader on Saturday is slated for noon.
