Lady Hawks fall in extra innings to Aggies
GREENSBORO, N.C. – In the final day at the North Carolina A&T (NCAT) Blue & Gold Tournament, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Softball Team fell in extra innings as the Aggies won, 5-4. With the loss, the Lady Hawks dropped to 0-9 overall whereas NCAT moved to 6-12 on the season.
Similar to yesterday’s outcome, UMES held the advantage for majority of the contest. Eight Lady Hawks recorded a hit, led by junior Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.). Gomez registered her fourth multi-hit performance this season, going 2-of-3 with a homer. The New Jersey-native also posted two runs scored, a RBI, a stolen base and a walk.
Gomez started the game with a lead-off walk. Then, she stole second to put a runner in scoring position. Next, sophomore Allison Anderson singled to leftfield and put runners on the corner. Shortly after, Anderson took second and gave the Lady Hawks runners on second and third. Despite the opportunity for a big inning, Maryland Eastern Shore could only manufacture one run, 1-0.
For the next five, both pitchers had solid performances by not allowing a run while pitching through trouble. Freshman Adrienne Guerra had her best outing as a starter. The California-product went 6.2 innings while allowing four hits and two earned runs. Also, she struck out five Aggies.
In the seventh, Gomez blasted a shot over right center and gave UMES some cushion, 2-0. In the bottom half, the Aggies made another late inning rally as they tied contest after seven, 2-2.
In the eighth, senior Morgan King (Danville, Ill.) doubled to leftfield and drove home Anderson to give Maryland Eastern Shore the lead back, 3-2. Next at-bat, junior Trenece Nash added another run with a RBI-single to right field, 4-2.
NCAT would respond in the eighth. Raven Gray’s RBI-triple cut the margin in half, 4-3. Then, Dasia Moore’s sac fly tied the contest, 4-4. Next, a game-winning RBI-triple from Janika May gave the Aggies the victory, 5-4.
For North Carolina A&T, May and Kimberly Brunson each recorded two hits. Furthermore, May tossed all eight innings to pick up the win.
On Tuesday, the Lady Hawks continue its spring break rodeo in Savannah, Ga. where the Savannah State Lady Tigers await. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.ncataggies.com
Rider, N.C. A&T Hand NSU Losses
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Norfolk State softball team fell twice more on Sunday during the second day of the Blue & Gold Tournament hosted by North Carolina A&T. Rider came away with an 8-1 victory over the Spartans in a late morning contest, and the host Aggies closed out the day with a 9-3 win.
Rider scored most of its runs early in the game, while N.C. A&T broke open a tied game with six runs in the fifth and sixth innings to drop NSU to 1-11 on the season.
Senior right fielder Alina Moriarty had three hits on the day with two runs and two RBI. She helped get the Spartans going in the top of the fourth inning after North Carolina A&T had built a 3-0 lead in the first.
Maiven McKnight (4-6) gave up three unearned runs on five hits in all seven innings. Alejandra Barcenas and Zebresha Blakeney each went 3-for-4 with three runs scored at the top of the lineup for the Aggies (7-12).
Rider (4-4), meanwhile, did most of its damage in the first two innings. Dana Sensi hit a two-run triple and Gina McCool hit an RBI single during a three-run first. Sensi also hit a two-run homer during a three-run second as the Broncs built a 6-0 lead.
McCool then drilled a two-run double in the fourth for an 8-0 lead. Moriarty led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer, her third of the season, to right center to close out the game’s scoring.
Moriarty and freshman shortstop Brandy Davis each went 2-for-3 against the Broncs. Sophomore left fielder Devon Bitler also had two hits over the course of the day.
Senior Liz Riley allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out five in 5.2 innings of relief against Rider.
Sensi (2-for-4, two runs, four RBI) and McCool (4-for-4, three RBI) provided most of the offense.
The Spartans begin MEAC play next weekend with a three game series at Coppin State.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.ncataggies.com
DSU Ends UD Spring Invitational on a High Note
NEWARK, Del. – Beginning the weekend with back-to-back losses to the Delaware Blue Hens (10-6) and St. Francis Red Flash (11-4), the Delaware State softball team (2-13) concluded the UD Spring Invitational Sunday evening with a 2-0 victory over the Villanova Wildcats (7-11) out of the Big East, snapping an eight-game skid.
Leading the way for DSU’s in its first win since a 16-8 victory at North Carolina Central on Feb. 13 was freshman Vanessa Washington, junior Rochelle Sablay, senior Nkili Matthews and sophomore Danielle Velez all going 2-for-3, while freshman Dominique Little drove in Sablay twice. Registering the win, on the other hand, was sophomore Tara Tursellino (2-10) allowing four hits and two walks, along with tallying six K’s.
Against the Blue Hens on Friday, despite falling 7-5, DSU erased a four-run first inning deficit in the third with a three-run output, capped off by a Sablay RBI-double to tie the game. However, Delaware responded later in the frame with a Leanna Gearhart two-run single.
In the seventh, with the score now 7-4, Washington blasted her team-leading third homer of the season to bring the Hornets within two. The Hornets would go on to put runners at first and second after back-to-back singles by Jordan Stamps and Sablay, yet freshman Khaliyah Flournory grounded out to pitcher Jordan Cargile (2-1) to end the game.
Looking to defeat the Red Flash for the first time in nine tries, DSU came up short 5-3 on Sunday, headlined by a four-run fourth inning outburst. St. Francis pulled out the victory, despite totaling three errors, whereas Delaware State registered nine hits, compared to the Red Flash’s six. Pitching wise, Tursellino surrendered two earned runs and seven walks, in addition tallying two K’s.
Coming up, the Columbia Blue & Red will be in action this Wednesday afternoon for a doubleheader at St. Joseph’s. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., proceeded by the series finale at 5 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com