LYCOMING SOFTBALL COMES UP ONE GAME SHORT OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Lycoming College softball team competed in the Freedom Conference playoffs, this past weekend, hosted by King’s College. The Warriors entered the tournament as the number two seed and finished as the runner-up after going 2-2 in four contests. Lycoming dropped their opening game versus King’s by a score of 1-3, but rebounded to defeat DeSales, 3-1, and Drew, 3-0, earning a rematch with the Monarchs. The Warriors, however, were no-hit in the game and fell to King’s by a score of 0-1. Lycoming ends the 2003 campaign with an overall record of 22-12-1.

In the Warriors’ first game of the playoffs, King’s scored a run in each of the first three innings to build a 3-0 advantage. Lycoming scored a run in the fourth when Jackie Chesnut (Fr./Williamsport, PA; Williamsport) doubled home Amy Curry (So./Fallentimber, PA; Moshannon Valley). That would be the only run the Warriors would score, however. Amanda Gery (So./Whitehall, PA; Whitehall) suffered the loss, despite allowing just six hits and three runs in seven innings.

Lycoming faced DeSales University in their next contest. The Bulldogs got on the board first with a run in the second inning. The Warriors answered two innings later with a three-run fourth. Jana Reitz (Fr./Waynesboro, PA; Waynesboro) led off the frame with a single, and Jess Feerrar (Sr./Lock Haven, PA; Lock Haven) followed with a walk. After a sacrifice by Curry put runners at second and third with one out, Chestnut singled home Reitz to tie the game. Miranda Newcomer (Jr./Newfoundland, PA; Wallenpaupack) then tripled to plate both Feerrar and Chestnut.

Three runs proved to be enough offense for Lycoming, as Morgan Mantle (Fr./Jersey Shore, PA; Jersey Shore) gave up just the one run on five hits in seven innings. She also struck out four batters.

The Warriors continued to get strong pitching in the consolation semifinals versus Drew University. Gery tossed a three-hit shutout for Lycoming, striking out five. The offense got the only run they would need in the first inning and then added two insurance runs in the third. Feerrar tripled to drive home Marianne Simpson (So./Camp Hill, PA; Camp Hill) for the first run. Simpson had singled to lead off the game. In the third, Feerrar tripled for the second straight at-bat and plated Reitz. Feerrar then scored on a double by Curry.

The victory advanced the Warriors to the championship game of the double-elimination tournament with the difficult task of having to defeat King’s, the three-time defending champion, twice. Lycoming, however, could not get past the first game as Sarah Genewski tossed her first career no-hitter to defeat the Warriors. Genewski allowed just two base runners on a walk and an error – both in the fifth inning. Lycoming could not capitalize on their only scoring treat paving the way for the Monarch victory.

Mantle was almost as impressive on the mound for the Warriors, allowing just four hits and one run while recording five strikeouts.