CLERMONT, FLA.—Both the University of Mount Union (2-2) and John Carroll University (3-1) struck early to take two games from the SUNY Potsdam softball team (0-4) on Tuesday afternoon. The Purple Knights downed the Bears 11-1 and the Blue Streaks won an 8-0 decision.
In the early game, Mount Union scored seven runs in the first inning, highlighted by a Brooke Cox three-run homer. Junior pitcher
Carina Chirinko (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) got Potsdam on the board in the bottom of the third with a single to center that scored sophomore pinch runner
Emily Tremblay (Fort Covington, N.Y./Salmon River). Mount Union right fielder Olivia Schumacher and first baseman Leigh Siedlak had back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the fourth to extend the lead to 9-1. Cox scored on an error in the next inning and shortstop Andi VanSickle capped the scoring at 11-1 with an RBI triple.
Chirinko fell to 0-2 after allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 10 hits in 4.1 innings. Freshman
Meghan Dougherty (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia) allowed two unearned runs on three hits in the final 1.2 innings. Allie Scalli (1-1) went the full five innings, allowing just the one run on three hits and striking out four. Cox was 2-for-3 with three RBI's and two runs scored.
In the nightcap, John Carroll scored twice in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Alyssa Coleman and an RBI single from by catcher Carly Simecek. The Blue Streaks added four more in the bottom of the second highlighted by a two-run homer from left fielder Hannah Mizener and a solo shot from Coleman. Simecek and third baseman Angie Zappitelli then closed the scoring in the bottom of the fifth with two final RBI singles.
Freshman pitcher
Jaime Hoskins (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) (0-2) took the loss after allowing six earned runs on five hits in 1.2 innings. She struck out two and walked one. Senior
Megan Briner (Corinth, N.Y./Corinth) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits over the final 2.1 innings. AnnMarie Kirchner allowed just two hits in four innings while striking out five to earn the victory. Kayla Navratil pitched a perfect top of the fifth to finish out the contest.
The Bears are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they face Immaculata University (Pa.) at 3 p.m. and Adrian College (Mich.) at 5 p.m.
