ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca softball team (28-13) dropped a 7-1 decision to Keuka (22-3-1) in an NCAA Division III Tournament game Friday evening at Kostrinsky Field. Keuka scored four runs in the first inning, three in the third, and made those runs stand up.

Keuka's big first inning included a two-run single from Sarah Fredricks. Fredericks added an RBI single in the third on a line drive down the left-field line. She was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs in the game. Sara James also had two hits for Keuka and scored twice.

The Storm provided plenty of offense for starting pitcher Allison Richter, who earned the win and improved to 12-2 on the year. Richter allowed just four hits in the complete-game performance. All 21 outs were recorded in the field and Keuka didn't commit an error.

Ithaca senior Britt Lillie (Honeoye Falls-Lima/Mendon) started and took the loss. She pitched into the third inning and was charged with all seven runs, six earned. Ithaca freshman Jackie Branco (West Essex/Roseland, N.J.) led off the seventh inning with a double and came in to score Ithaca's only run. Branco's double was the only extra-base hit in the contest.

Ithaca suffered its first loss in the double-elimination tournament and will face Western Connecticut at noon Saturday in an elimination game. Keuka advances to face Messiah in a winner's bracket game Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Box Score and Play-by-Play | NCAA Tournament Page