ALFRED, N.Y. (nazathletics.com) – Nazareth Softball (7-5) split an Empire 8 doubleheader on the road against Alfred University (5-7) Saturday afternoon at Harrington Field, rolling to a 13-5 win in game one before falling in game two, 9-6.
GAME ONE: NAZARETH 13, ALFRED 5
HOW IT HAPPENED
● Alfred struck first in the opening inning on a sacrifice fly, but Nazareth answered in a big way in the third, taking advantage of pressure on the bases and Saxon errors to plate five runs and jump in front 5-1.
●
Ruby Marrapese started the rally with a walk and stolen base before
Bryanna Moroughan doubled down the right field line.
Alexis Brown then reached on a fielder's choice that brought in two unearned runs, and later in the inning
Maddy Spakoski reached on an error that allowed
Kaijah Alexander and
Morgan Russo to score.
● Alfred chipped away with a run in the third and then erased the deficit in the fourth, stringing together four doubles and capitalizing on a throwing error to tie the game at 5-5.
● The Golden Flyers responded immediately in the fifth with their biggest offensive burst of the day, scoring seven runs on eight hits.
Morgan Russo and
Kaijah Alexander each delivered RBI singles,
Ella Maloney helped force across a run on a fielder's choice, Moroughan drove in two with a double to left center, and
Haleigh Suitor capped the inning with a two-run double to make it 12-5.
● Nazareth added one more insurance run in the seventh when Suitor doubled home
Alexis Brown, while the pitching staff shut the door over the final three innings to secure the run-rule-shortened style win after a quiet finish from Alfred.
GAME NOTES
●
Haleigh Suitor finished with two doubles and three RBI, including the final run-scoring hit of the game.
●
Bryanna Moroughan had a big day at the top of the order, collecting two doubles and driving in two runs.
●
Morgan Russo recorded three hits, including a pair of doubles, while Nazareth piled up 18 hits in the opener.
● After Alfred tied the game in the fourth, Nazareth answered with seven runs in the fifth to take control for good.
GAME TWO: ALFRED 9, NAZARETH 6
HOW IT HAPPENED
● Nazareth came out sharp in the second inning, scoring three runs to grab the early lead.
Madison Hicks doubled to start the threat,
Morgan Russo brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly,
Amanda Linnenbrink followed with an RBI single, and
Ruby Marrapese later added a run-scoring single to make it 3-0.
● Alfred responded quickly in the bottom half, taking advantage of an error and a three-run home run to score five times and swing in front 5-3.
● The Golden Flyers battled back in the third.
Alexis Brown singled to start the inning, Hicks brought home a run on a ground-out, and
Haleigh Suitor later stole home during a rundown sequence to even the game at 5-5.
● After a scoreless third for Alfred, the Saxons regained control in the fourth with two runs on three hits, including an RBI walk and a run-scoring double-play sequence that pushed the lead to 7-5.
● Nazareth threatened in the fifth with three hits in the inning, loading the bases with one out, but Alfred escaped the jam without allowing a run to keep the margin at two.
● The Saxons added two more unearned runs in the sixth to create separation, and Nazareth managed one final run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Hicks before Alfred closed out the 9-6 decision.
GAME NOTES
●
Alexis Brown,
Bryanna Moroughan and
Morgan Russo each posted two hits in game two.
●
Madison Hicks had a strong offensive game with a double and two RBI.
● Nazareth scored the first three runs of the game and later tied it at 5-5, but Alfred answered with four of the final five runs.
● The Golden Flyers finished with 12 hits in the second game but left key chances on the bases in the middle innings.
UP NEXT
Nazareth returns home Friday, April 3 for an Empire 8 doubleheader against Hartwick College. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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