LESLEY RALLIES IN 5TH INNING TO DEFEAT EMMANUEL
April 11, 2011
BOSTON, Mass. - The Lesley Lynx scored 8 runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie and defeat the host Saints, 9-1, in a non-conference softball game played at Clemente Field on Monday night. The win boosted Lesley's record to 11-6, while Emmanuel fell to 7-16 overall.
The two clubs played scoreless ball through two and a half innings, with Emmanuel's freshman pitcher Julia Levins (Uxbridge, Mass.) and Lesley's sophomore hurler Cassandra Knox (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) giving up just two hits apiece during the stretch. The Saints struck first in the bottom of the third, when Levins singled, was moved to second by Chelsey Guselli (Methuen, Mass.) and was driven in by Kelly Lloid (Issaquah, Wash.). Emmanuel's one run off of two hits in the frame gave the Saints a 1-0 edge.
The Lynx countered in the top of the fourth, when senior centerfielder Alyson Durben (Stow, Mass.) hit a solo shot over the left field fence, knotting the contest at 1-all. Knox then threw consecutive strikeouts, leading to a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning for Emmanuel and the tie game entered its fifth inning.
The top of the fifth was a nightmare for the host Saints. A walk and three back-to-back fielding errors led to three quick runs by the Lynx. A 2 RBI double to right by Gabrielle Brixley (Coalinga, Calif.) put Lesley on top 6-1. A single from Jennifer Doval (Franklin, Mass.) scored Brixley. Two more Lesley runs would follow and the Lynx took a 9-1 lead.
The Lesley defense quickly retired the side and the Lynx ended the contest in 5 innings at 9-1. Knox went the distance for Lesley, throwing a 4-hitter, and giving up the one earned run. Freshman Jennifer Garrity (Lynn, Mass.) relieved Levins in the 5th and took the loss for the Saints giving up 8 runs (1 earned).
Emmanuel will return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Tuesday night, taking on the Gators of Pine Manor College in a 6pm start. The conference double-header will be played under the lights at Clemente Field.