Lady Warriors Eliminated from Conference Tournament
FDU Wins Extra Inning Battle
Box Score

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. --- Lycoming softball, needing a victory to stay alive in the Freedom Conference tournament after a loss to Wilkes University the day before, pushed FDU-Florham to the brink of elimination with a run in the bottom of the fifth frame to force extra innings.  The Devils proved up to the challenge, plating two runs in the top of the 10^th inning to knock the Lady Warriors out of the 2006 tourney.  Lycoming finishes the season 12-13 overall.

FDU brought the winning runs around after drawing a pair of walks to join the tiebreaker runner in loading the bases.  Outfielder Danielle Cantanzaro followed with a single to bring around the runners from second and third.

Senior Kristen Reese (State College, Pa./State College) started the game for the Lady Warriors, allowing two runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings of work.  Fellow four-year hurler Morgan Mantle (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore) threw the final 5.1 frames allowing two runs, one earned, while fanning eight and issuing four free passes.

Lycoming got things started in the second inning with a little two out magic.  After senior Lauren Wilson (Ontario, Calif./Chino) reached on a error by the third baseman, Reese doubled her to third with freshman Marissa Hastings (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) coming to the plate.  Hastings came through in the clutch with a single to center to bring in Wilson, but the inning ended when Reese was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second.

The Devils used the long ball in the top of the fifth to move out to a 2-1 lead.  With one down, catcher Kelly Nover got FDU on the board with a solo shot, her fifth of the season.  Two batters later, outfielder Jen Haas sent her fifth round tripper of the year over the outfield fence.

FDU advanced to face King’s College for the right to play Wilkes in the tournament championship.  The Monarch’s took care of FDU 6-5, but Wilkes made it three straight tournament wins with a 4-3 triumph over King’s to secure the 2006 title.