photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

HUNTINGTON, W.V. -- The University of Delaware softball team defeated Canisius, 3-2, in its first game on Sunday before falling to the host Thundering Herd, 3-1, in the nightcap as the Blue Hens split a pair of games on the final day of the Marshall University Tournament.

Delaware, which is now 2-4 on the season, opened the scoring against Canisius by pushing across a run in the top of the second inning. Kim Ovittore (at right) led off with a single to leftfield, advanced to second on an infield single by Michelle Kenney, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Stacevicz, and scored when Cecile Egan reached on a fielder’s choice.

However the Golden Griffins, who fell to 4-5 on the year, answered with a run in the bottom of the second to tie the game. Paige Frielberger led off the frame by doubling to centerfield, and after she moved to third on a wild pitch, she scored one out later on an infield single by Angela Turrey.

It looked like Canisius would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as the Golden Griffins had runners on the corners with one out, but Lauren Falzone flied out to center and Delaware centerfielder Abbie Surosky threw out Rachelle Barrientos at the plate to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Delaware then took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning, as Michelle Grap worked a one-out walk and Ovittore followed by drilling a two-run homer to left. The round-tripper was the ninth of Ovittore’s career, moving her into a tie for second place on the Delaware career home runs list.

Canisius scored an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Turrey, but Blue Hen pitcher Anne Marie Pagano got Barrientos to ground out to third with runners on second and third to escape the jam. The Golden Griffins again mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, as Canisius had runners on the corners with one out. But Cameron Norton hit a groundball to Ovittore, who threw home to get lead runner Lauren Hope at the plate. Pagano then got Michelle Fridey to ground out to third to end the game.

Pagano improved to 2-1 on the season after allowing two runs, one earned, on nine hits, while Canisius starter Mallory Aldred dropped to 3-3 as she gave up three earned runs on five hits in 5.1 innings of work.

Ovittore finished 2 for 3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored, while Surosky, Egan and Lindsay Novak each added singles for the Blue Hens.

Marshall, which improved to 11-7 on the season, jumped on Delaware in the Blue Hens’ second game of the day by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Alianna Telles led off with a home run to left, and a sacrifice fly by Caitlyn Jackson later in the frame gave the Thundering Herd an early 2-0 advantage.

Marshall added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Kelly Nielson, and the Thundering Herd maintained its 3-0 lead until the top of the seventh when Delaware mounted a rally.

Ovittore led off the frame with a single to center, and she advanced to second when Shanette White reached on a fielder’s choice. The runners then moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Caitlin Smith, and Ovittore crossed the plate on an RBI groundout by Egan. However Marshall reliever Virginia Campbell struck out Stacevicz to end the game.

Thundering Herd starter Autumn Mitchell improved to 3-1 after allowing four hits in six scoreless innings, while Campbell earned her first save of the season after giving up one run in the final frame. Stacevicz dropped to 0-3 for the Blue Hens after giving up three runs, two earned, on five hits while striking out two batters.

Quinn Megargel went 2 for 3 for the Blue Hens, while Surosky, Grap and Ovittore had one hit apiece.

Delaware returns to action next weekend with five games in the University of Maryland Tournament. The Blue Hens open play on Friday with a 1 p.m. game against Seton Hall.