Mansfield, Conn. - The Ithaca softball team advanced in the NCAA Division III Softball Championship at the Willimantic, Conn. Regional with a 6-0 win over Lesley (28-12) in an elimination game Friday afternoon at the Eastern Connecticut State Softball Field. The Bombers scored one run in the top of the second inning and added two more in the fifth, then broke the game open with three runs in the sixth. The Bombers (31-13) will face either St. John Fisher or Tufts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Bombers opened the scoring in the top of the second as freshman center fielder Monica Capolongo and junior catcher Lindsey Johnson reached on singles. They advanced on a wild pitch and freshman shortstop Francesca Busa singled to center to bring in Capolongo.

Ithaca added two more in the fifth on a sharp single up the middle by sophomore left fielder Rachel Dell'Orto with two outs that brought in sophomore Julianne Vincent and sophomore pinch-runner Lisa Bates.

Sophomore first baseman Sydney Folk ripped a full-count pitch into the left-field corner with two outs and the bases loaded to bring in three more runs in the sixth. Ithaca totaled 11 hits in the game, led by the top of the lineup. Leadoff hitter Busa was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Vincent, moved up to second in the lineup for Friday's game, was 3-for-3 and scored twice.

Sophomore pitcher Sam Bender earned the win and is 17-5 on the year. She pitched five scoreless innings with three strikeouts and allowed four hits. Sophomore Jillian Olmstead worked two scoreless, hitless innings in relief with one strikeout.

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