After recording just two hits in the early game, the St. Lawrence softball team exploded with nine first inning runs in game two to split the north country matchup with Plattsburgh on the Saints' Softball Field.
St. Lawrence 0, Plattsburgh 4
After giving up a pair of first inning runs,
Gabby Slater didn't allow another baserunner until the fifth inning. In the fifth she struck out the first batter, but the Cardinals had a two-run rally to extend their lead to 4-0, which it would remain. Slater struck out five and gave up six hits in her seven inning complete game.
In the fifth inning
Kayla Minst hit a lead-off single to shallow right field but the Saints were not able to capitalize on that.
In the sixth inning,
Stella VanGee reached first on a two-out bunt, but was left stranded.
St. Lawrence 11, Plattsburgh 4
In the second game of the day
Jacee Casebolt started in the circle and got the first three batters to ground out.
The Saints wasted no time getting the first three batters on base, and
Cora Ferguson singled to right field which brought
Vivian Johnson and VanGee home. Minst was next up and singled to re-load the bases.
Zola Braswell reached on an error which brought home
Lauryn Best, and
Sofia Camillieri hit a two-RBI double through the left side to make it 5-0.
The Saints were not done there,
Tori Rotundo reached on an error to bring Braswell home, and
Meredith Rose doubled to left field which scored Rotundo and Camillieri.
Vivian Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field to bring home Rotundo to make it 8-0 with one out. Best hit a single to left to score Rose and make it 9-0. Not only did the Saints bat through the line-up, but their first nine batters all scored.
The game looked like it was headed to a mercy rule, but Plattsburgh had a four-run rally in the top fifth to give them a chance.
In the bottom of the inning Rotundo singled through the left side and advanced on a fielder's choice. She scored on a Johnson single to center to make it 10-4.
In the top of the sixth inning first-year pitcher
Sofia Berryhill was called in to relieve the final two innings. She got the job done allowing two hits and no runs. Berryhill brought her already low ERA even further south to 1.07.
The Saints final run came from a Best lead-off triple in the bottom of the sixth. Ferguson was next up and doubled to left center to bring Best home.
Head coach Rosie Phillips
"The pitcher we faced in the first game threw a great game and we just couldn't make the adjustments we needed to get on the board. We were able to attack early in the second game and maintain the lead we needed. They put pressure on late in the second game but we were able to execute in the circle and on D to walk away with a split."
Records: St. Lawrence (10-5), Plattsburgh (6-10)
Up next: Conference opener against Union on Saturday, April 9
th at 1 and 3 p.m.
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