EMERSON COMES FROM BEHIND TO TOP SAINTS IN SEASON-OPENER, 3-1

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Emmanuel College softball team dropped its opening game of the 2016 season to Emerson College, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Foundation Academy at the National Training Center (NTC) games. The Saints fall to 0-1 while the Lions start the year at 1-0.

Following a scoreless first, Emmanuel jumped out to a 1-0 lead plating the game's first run in the second. Junior first baseman Susie Kieselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) lead off the frame with a stand up triple to the right field fence. Junior right fielder Erin Walsh (Granby, Conn.) drove her in with a single to left field to give the Saints the first run of the afternoon.

Emmanuel junior pitcher Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) held the Lions hitless through four innings before Emerson freshman designed player Kallista Leonard (El Granada, Calif.) squeaked a single through the right side of the infield. Sophomore first baseman Jillian Gearin (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) bunted to sacrifice Leonard to second but an error by the Saints put runners on first and second with no outs. An executed sac bunt by sophomore shortstop Molly Goldstein (Ridgefield, Conn.) moved both runners into scoring position before Kilcoyne registered a huge strikeout to give Emmanuel two outs. The Saints were unable to get out of the inning without allowing a run as another infield error allowed Leonard to come home and tie the game at 1-1.

Back to back walks with one out in the sixth put Emerson is the driver's seat and the Lions cashed in. A single to left by Leonard drove in the go-ahead run to give Emerson a 2-1 lead. Later in the frame, another walk loaded the bases with two outs before pinch hitter Courtney Fee (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch to drive in a run and five the Lions a 3-1 cushion.

Leonard collected the only two Lion hits in the win.

Emmanuel sophomore third baseman Abbey Alexiades (Kingston, Mass.) ended the day with two hits for the Saints.

Emerson senior pitcher Samantha Corey (Londonderry, N.H.) earned the win going the distance allowing just one run on five hits. Kilcoyne suffered the loss hurling six innings of two hit ball while striking out seven.

Emmanuel returns to action later today when they take on Roger Williams University in more action at the NTC Spring Games.