Lady Warriors Split with FDU-Florham
Close in on Conference Tournament Spot
Game 1 Box Score / Game 2 Box Score

MADISON, N.J. --- Lycoming softball improved its position in the Freedom Conference standings on Saturday afternoon by earning a split with FDU-Florham.  The Lady Warriors claimed the first game 5-3, but dropped a one-run affair in game two 4-3.  Lycoming’s record sits at 10-7 overall, 7-3 in league play.  The Devils now boast 13-12, 4-6 marks.

Lycoming finds itself in third place in the current Freedom Conference standings well ahead of fourth place occupant FDU-Florham.  With the top four teams qualifying for the end of season double-elimination tourney, the Lady Warriors seem to be in strong position.  Lycoming’s remaining conference schedule features a pair of games against Wilkes University, who currently sits tied for first with King’s College, and two contests with DeSales University.  The Bulldogs are second from the bottom with a 2-6 conference mark.

Drew University could prove to be a wildcard depending upon its play down the stretch.  With only four conference games under their belts, the Rangers could quickly move up the league fixtures with strong showings over the next few weeks.

Against FDU-Florham, senior hurler Morgan Mantle (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore) dazzled for seven innings in game one on the way to her seventh victory of the season.  The reigning conference Pitcher of the Week allowed three runs, one earned, on four hits while walking two and fanning a season-high 15 batters.

Lycoming scored the game’s first run in the second inning.  With two outs and sophomore Amy Hulbert (Rockaway Hills, N.J./Morris Hills) on first, freshman Marissa Hastings (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) cracked a double to give the Lady Warriors a pair of runners in scoring position.  Sophomore Dana Marek (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) followed with a single to bring around Hulbert and put runners at the corners.  Senior Christine Caroselli (Newtown, Pa./Pennsbury) sent a shot to the right side that was snagged by the second baseman to end the inning.

Junior Melissa McCoy (Williamsport, Pa./Jersey Shore) scored Lycoming’s second run in the third frame.  After leading off with a double, McCoy survived a Mantle line-out back to the mound and moved over to third on a groundout by junior Betsy Reese (State College, Pa./State College).  Sophomore Holly Billow (Millersburg, Pa./Millersburg) came through with a two-out RBI single to give Lycoming a 2-0 lead.

FDU-Florham cut in the lead in half in the bottom of the inning thanks to a homerun from Kelly Nover, but the Lady Warriors’ advantage swelled to four runs following the top of the fourth.  A pair of Devils’ errors helped Lycoming to two unearned runs to open the inning.  Caroselli, who singled earlier in the frame and advanced on one of the errors, came around to score on Mantle’s two-out RBI hit.

FDU picked up two harmless unearned runs in the sixth.

In game two, the Devils went up 2-0 in the third thanks to an RBI double from Amanda Cusumano and a wild pitch uncorked by senior righty Kristen Reese (State College, Pa./State College). 

Lycoming stormed back to take the lead with three tallies in the top of the fourth.  After a pair of walks to Mantle and Betsy Reese and a single by Billow loaded the bases, junior Katie Shaw (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle) came through with an RBI single to plate the first run.  Hastings followed up with her second run scoring hit of the day to tie the game 2-2.  Kristen Reese helped her own cause and brought around the third run with a walk.  A pitching change calmed the waters for FDU and left three Lady Warriors stranded on base.

The Devils picked up two more in the bottom of the frame.  A single, base hit and a sacrifice bunt gave FDU two runners in scoring position with only one out.  After a run-scoring single by Kristin Loriot tied the game 3-3, Kristen Reese seemed to work out of the jam, but an error at third base gave the Devils extra life.  Loriot came around to score the eventual winning run on a wild pitch.

Lycoming looks continue its strong run through the conference on Friday, April 14, as the Lady Warriors welcome Wilkes University to Williamsport.  First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m.