MEDAILLE CRUISES PAST EMMANUEL SOFTBALL, 9-

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.. – The Emmanuel College softball team dropped a 9-0 decision to Medaille College Wednesday afternoon in Day 4 action of the Fast Pitch Dreams Spring Classic. With the win, the Mavericks improve to 3-3 on the year while the Saints fall to 3-4 overall.

With the help of a costly EC miscue, Medaille jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, plating four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore pitcher Amanda Mesi (Lackawanna, N.Y.) lead off with a single to centerfield and came around to score on a two-out, RBI double down the left field line by junior centerfielder Nicole Gulisano (Cheektowage, N.Y.) to make it 1-0. Following the double, the Mavericks loaded the bases drawing back to back walks bringing up senior second baseman Sarah Barrancotta (Lockport, N.Y.). Barrancotta connected on a fly to left that should have ended the inning but the ball popped out of the Emmanuel outfielder's glove, allowing all three runs to score to make it 4-0.

Medaille bumped the lead up to 6-0 with a pair of runs in the third. Singles by sophomore first baseman Kristie Dlugosz (Depew, N.Y.) and freshman third baseman Megan Owens (Conneaut Lake, Pa.) put two runners on for junior right fielder Olivia Meyer-Newman (Colden, N.Y.). Meyer-Newman lined a shot to left that looked like it was going to soar over the head of EC left fielder Samantha Adams (Sanford, Maine) but the rookie made the catch on the run and fired a bullet into third which appeared to double up Dlugosz. The inning continued with a safe call by the field umpire and on sophomore catcher Sam Barone (Niagra, Falls, N.Y.) made the Saints pay, ripping a two-RBI double to right to make it a 6-0 game.

The Mavericks put the game out of reach with three more runs in the fourth to take a commanding 9-0 lead.

Mesi was dominant on the mound all day, allowing just two hits on the afternoon, both never leaving the infield dirt. EC senior catcher Julia Levins (Uxbridge, Mass.) hit a comebacker right to Mesi that was knocked down but the speedster beat it out and freshman Brenna Gilmore (San Carlos, Calif.) found a hole in the left side between short and third base for the only other Emmanuel hit. Gilmore took the loss for the Saints and falls to 0-2 on the year.

Emmanuel returns to the field tomorrow for a doubleheader against Greenville College at 9:30 AM while Medaille takes on Bath Path College tomorrow at the same time.