SOFTBALL FALLS IN SEASON OPENER TO PITT.-GREENSBURG, 5-2

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Sophomore pitcher Marley Lafferty (Washington, Pa.) tossed five innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits while striking out four to lead the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg softball team in a 5-2 victory over Emmanuel College. The game was the season-opener for both programs as the Bobcats start off with a 1-0 mark while the Saints fall to 0-1.

After three scoreless innings, the Bobcats opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning to take control of the action. Freshman right fielder Caitlin Tobin (Greensburg, Pa.) got the inning started with a leadoff double to deep centerfield and would plate the game's first run on an RBI single up the middle by freshman catcher Abigail Dygert (Seneca Falls, N.Y.). Next up, Lafferty reached on an error before sophomore first baseman Stephanie Kootnz (Monongahela, Pa.) delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to left field to make it a 3-0 game.

After Emmanuel went three up and three down in the top of the fifth, Pitt. – Greensburg stayed hot and delivered two more runs to take a 5-0 lead. Freshman centerfield Emily Banner (Latrobe, Pa.) led off the inning with a bunt single before freshman left fielder Sarah Giebel (Pittsburgh, Pa.) followed it up with another bunt single, her third of the afternoon. Banner would score on a Saints throwing error and Giebel would come around two batters later on an RBI double to left by freshman second baseman Morgan Russo (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

Emmanuel would answer with two in the top of the 6^th as freshman second baseman Kerianne Vulpis (East Rockway, N.Y.) led off the inning with a walk. With one out, freshman shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) delivered a looping single to right field to put runners at the corners. During the next at bat, Davis would steal second and Vulpis would advance home on the throw to get EC on the board and make it 5-1. Senior pitcher Kelly Lloid (Issaquah, Wa.) would help her own cause with an RBI single up the middle to plate Davis and make it 5-2. With the tying run at the plate and two runners in scoring position, the Bobcats were able to get the final out of the inning on a popup to second base and end the threat.

Giebel finished the game going 3-4 at the plate with a run scored while Koontz was 2-3 with two RBI.

For the Saints, Lloid went the distance on the mound allowing five runs (three earned) on 10 hits while registering five strikeouts. The senior also collected two of Emmanuel's four hits to go along with an RBI.

The Saints will return to action later this afternoon when they face off against Wesley College at 1:30 PM while the Bobcats face Nyack College at 11:30 AM.