Lemus Homers and Cusumano Tosses Shutout as Softball Sweeps NYIT
Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Apr. 23, 2017) – Powered by a home run and a team-high three RBI from junior Skania Lemus (Chula Vista, Calif./Southwestern CC) and a four-hit shutout from sophomore McKaily Cusumano (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) in game two, the Mercy College softball team earned 5-2 and 1-0 victories over NYIT on Sunday afternoon at Smith Field.
The Mavericks (26-10, 15-5 ECC) bounce back after dropping a pair yesterday, while the Bears (19-15, 9-9 ECC) fall to .500 in ECC play.
Game 1: Mercy 5, NYIT 2
The opening game of the day saw the Mavericks jump out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Lemus hit a two-RBI triple to right field that scored freshman Kendall Meeks (Guysville, Ohio/Alexander) and junior Allie Pellizzaro (Victoria, British Columbia/Eastern Arizona CC). Junior Cassidy Wootten (Ardsley, N.Y./Monroe College) concluded the scoring in the inning with a single to right field that scored Lemus, giving Mercy a 3-0 lead after one inning.
Sophomore Kaylee Stevens (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) kept the Bears off the board until the top of the fourth when Tiffany McCracken homered to left field to make it 3-1.
Mercy added onto their lead in the bottom of the sixth as senior Julie Gross (Port Monmouth, N.J./Middletown North) hit an RBI single up the middle that scored freshman Erica Handegard (Reno, Nev./Earl Wooster) to put the Mavericks ahead 4-1. Junior Morgan Lloyd (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme) followed with an RBI double to left field that gave Mercy a 5-1 lead after six innings.
The Bears were able to plate a run in the top of the seventh but Cusumano recorded two outs in the inning to seal the win for Mercy.
Lemus and Meeks went 2-for-3, while senior Katiana Golino (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) went 1-for-3. Stevens went 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts to earn her ninth win.
Game 2: Mercy 1, NYIT 0
A pitcher's duel broke out in game two as Cusumano and NYIT starter Sofia Evangelista combined to allow just one run and eight hits. After a scoreless first inning, the Mavericks scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the second as Lemus homered to left center to put Mercy ahead 1-0.
NYIT put runners on second and third in the third, but were unable to score as Cusumano induced a groundout to end the inning. The one run would hold up for Mercy as Cusumano tossed a four-hitter with just one walk and three strikeouts to earn her fourth win of the season.
Meeks went 1-for-3, Wootten went 1-for-1 and Golino batted 1-for-2.
Head Coach Mike Fazio and the Mavericks resume action on Monday, April 24th when they host Post University at 2:30 p.m.
