Softball Takes Down ECC-Opponent NYIT in Sweeping Fashion; 4-3, 5-3
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Mar. 24, 2012) – This afternoon on Smith Field in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., the Mercy College softball team earned its first two wins in East Coast Conference play with 4-3 and 5-3 victories over New York Institute of Technology. With the triumphs, the Mavericks improved to 12-7 overall and 2-2 in the ECC. Following the defeats, the Bears slipped to 4-11 on the season and 0-2 in the league.
Game One: Mercy 4, NYIT 3
Odd numbers were the name of Mercy's strategy in the opening game as the Mavericks scored in innings one, three, five and seven. In the opening frame, senior shortstop Jenna Ausiello (Petaluma, Calif.) belted a solo home run to left field to give her team an early edge.
The Bears grabbed that run right back in the next inning on a sacrifice fly.
RBI singles by freshman catcher Jackie Couillard (Wolcott, Conn.) made it 3-1 in favor of Mercy in the bottom of the third and fifth innings.
However, in the top of the sixth, senior catcher Melina Trujillo (Tucson, Ariz.) notched a two-run, game-tying homer down the left field line to thrust the Bears back into the game.
The Mavericks went back to work in the bottom of the seventh and with the bases loaded, Couillard single to the second baseman. She fired home, but junior left fielder Courtney Butler (Islip, N.Y.) got under the tag and scored the winning run.
For Mercy, Couillard finished with a game-high three runs batted in, while going 3-for-4 at the dish. Butler went 1-for-2 and scored twice. In the circle, sophomore starter Alexandra Puglisi (Shelton, Conn.) went the distance as she picked up her sixth win of the year. She allowed three runs on six hits, while walking five and striking out three.
Game Two: Mercy 5, NYIT 3
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the third, junior left fielder Alexis Majury (Bayville, N.J.) tried stealing second, but was thrown out. In the process, Ausiello, who was on third base, scored on defensive indifference to knot the game at 1-1.
The Mavericks cracked open the game with a four-run fourth inning. Sophomore first baseman Kelly Bentson (Brewster, N.Y.) started it off with a sacrifice fly. That was followed up by a two-run single down the right field line by Ausiello. Freshman third baseman Chrissie Cleary (Smithtown, N.Y.) had the fourth RBI of the frame as she drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing in Ausiello from third.
Mercy rookie starting pitcher Bryanna Kopczynski (Smyrna, Tenn.) was terrific the entire game. Although she surrendered a two-run homer to sophomore third baseman Sarah Stein (Bay Shore, N.Y.) in the top of the seventh, Kopczynski recorded the final out to secure the Mavericks' 5-3 victory.
Ausiello finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two batted in. Majury and freshman designated hitter Shannon Forbes (Nesconset, N.Y.) were both 2-for-4 at the plate. In the circle, Kopczynski notched her first collegiate win as she hurled all seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits. She struck out five hitters.
Head Coach Mike Fazio and the Mavericks return to action on Monday when they host Southern New Hampshire University in non-conference action. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
