ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College softball team (9-10, 2-0 Empire 8) opened conference play with a sweep of visiting Utica (13-8, 0-2 Empire 8), winning Friday's doubleheader 4-1 and 5-0.
In the opener, the Bombers rallied for a pair of fifth-inning runs to take the lead and tacked on two sixth-inning insurance runs to snap their four-game losing streak.
Sophomore
Sydney Folk singled in the tying and go-ahead runs in the fith with a two-out single to left field and freshman
Nicole Ciricillo added a pinch-hit double in the sixth.
Junior center fielder
Adrienne Walters started Ithaca's fifth-inning rally with a one-out single. One out later freshman shortstop
Francesca Busa was hit by a pitch and junior third baseman
Molly O'Donnell beat out an infield hit to load the bases, setting up
Folk's two-run single.
Ciricillo's double -- her first career extra-base hit -- brought home junior catcher
Lindsey Johnson and freshman left fielder
Nina Lindberg.
Sophomore
Sam Bender evened her record at 4-4, allowing just three hits over five innings. The Pioneers scored their only run after the first two batters hit safely but
Bender allowed only one more hit over her five-inning stint. Classmate Jilliam Olmstead earned her second save with two perfect innings out of the bullpen.
O'Donnell had two of Ithaca's eight hits in the opener.
In the nightcap the Bombers broke open a scoreless tie with three runs in the fifth and two more in the second. Busa doubled in a pair of runs to highlight the three-run fifth.
Walters singled with one out and stole second before freshman outfielder
Nina Lindberg drew a full-count walk. A single by sophomore left fielder
Rachel Dell'Orto brought in the game's first run and
Busa followed with a drive that Utica's center fielder nearly made a leaping catch of.
An inning later sophomore second baseman
Julianne Vincent and junior catcher
Lindsey Johnson opened the inning with singles (
Vincent went from first to third as
Johnson beat out a bunt for her hit).
Walters drove in a run with an infield ground out and senior
Carianne D'Alessandro added a run-scoring pinch-hit single.
The Bombers play a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Elmira Saturday.
Game one box score |
Game two box score
