LYCOMING SOFTBALL FALLS SHORT OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Lycoming College softball team came up just one game short of a Freedom Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA playoffs, Saturday afternoon. The Warriors had advanced to the title game with victories over King’s College and DeSales University on Friday. King’s, however, had the final say defeating Lycoming twice, 8-0 and 5-3, on Saturday, to earn their fifth consecutive conference crown. The Warriors finish the season with a record of 18-16.

Lycoming struggled from the plate in the opening game, collecting just one hit off of Monarch pitcher Sarah Genewski. King’s, on the other hand, had no such problems recording eight hits and taking advantage of a pair of Warrior errors to score eight runs and end the game after six innings. Christine Caroselli (So./Newtown, Pa.; Pennsbury) claimed Lycoming’s lone hit. Morgan Mantle (So./Jersey Shore, Pa.; Jersey Shore) started the game and pitched two innings, allowing four hits and three runs – although just one was earned. She also struck out four batters. Kristen Reese (So./Centre Hall, Pa.; State College) tossed the final four innings, allowing five runs on four hits.

In the second game, the Warriors struck first with a run in the first inning. Caroselli led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a sacrifice by Marianne Simpson (Jr./Camp Hill, Pa.; Camp Hill). Jen Shaffer (Sr./Waterville, Pa.; Jersey Shore) then stroked a ball to right field, scoring Caroselli despite being thrown out at first base.

Lycoming’s lead lasted only until the second inning when King’s tied the game with a run in the bottom of the frame. The Monarchs added three runs in fourth inning to take a 4-1 lead. The Warriors answered with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Morgan Rudelitch (So./Lehighton, Pa.; Lehighton) walked to lead off the inning. Caroselli singled to move Rudelitch to second. Both runners then advanced one base on a groundout by Simpson, once again setting the plate for Shaffer. The senior responded with a double that scored both Rudelitch and Caroselli. That would be all the offense Lycoming could muster, however, as King’s added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth and went on to win 5-3.

Mantle pitched the entire game for the Warriors, allowing just two earned runs on six hits, while striking out seven. Caroselli and Amy Curry (Jr./Fallentimber, Pa.; Moshannon Valley) each collected two hits in the game to lead the offense. Shaffer added one hit and drove in all three runs.

COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL
Game 1

WP – Sarah Genewski LP – Morgan Mantle

Game 2

WP – Nikki Kotula, S – Sarah Genewski LP – Morgan Mantle