Four Run Second Inning More Than Enough For Stacevicz as Blue Hens Defeat George Mason 4-2
March 27, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Boxscore
FAIRFAX, Va. - - Jenny Richards’ two-run double in the second inning proved to be the winner as the University of Delaware softball team defeated George Mason, 4-2, in the rubber match of the Colonial Athletic Association series at the GMU Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The game, originally slated to start at 12 noon, was pushed back two hours due to the anticipated snow and rain in the Virginia area.
Delaware (9-18, 2-1 CAA) scored all its runs in the second inning, and pitcher Amanda Stacevicz hurled the first six innings, only giving up five hits to capture her fifth win of the season, and the CAA opening series. George Mason (10-12, 1-2 CAA) scored two runs in the sixth inning on a Emily Lafferty home run, but couldn’t completely solve Stacevicz. Freshman Kathleen Conway pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up her first collegiate save.
The Blue Hens loaded the bases with one out in the second with the help of a Mason error and a pair of walks. Bertie Lake got the Hens on the board with an RBI groundout to short, scoring Michelle Grap for the game’s first run. But it was Richards' (above right) double to center that gave the visitors a 3-0 lead as Brittney Noons and Rachel Jones both came around to score. Michelle McKinnon finished off the scoring with a single up the middle, chasing Richards home from second for the 4-0 lead.
Delaware had at least two runners on base in the third, fourth and sixth innings, but could not find the clutch hit at the tail end to help extend the Blue Hen lead. All together UD collected 11 hits on the afternoon against George Mason’s three pitchers.
McKinnon led all hitters going 3-for-4 on the afternoon. She tallied an RBI while Richards led the Blue Hens by knocking in two runs on her double. Richards and Noons also collected two hits a piece while Lara Andrews, Stacevicz, Gina Knutson and Jones each had one hit.
Reagan Doiron who had two of the team’s five hits led the Patriots offensively. Lafferty smacked her first hom erun of the season in the sixth inning, but it was too little too late for the home team.
Stacevicz pitched the first six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. She recorded one strikeout on the afternoon, but allowed five walks. Conway conceded a bunt single in the seventh, but didn't allow the runner to move past first to earn the save. Miranda Cranford was saddled with the loss, pitching 2.1 innings, giving up four runs (zero earned) on five hits. Stephanie Maher struckout three batters in 3.2 innings of work out of the bullpen for the Patriots.
After playing all 27 of this season on the road, the Hens finally return to Newark on Tuesday as they take on Villanova in a doubleheader. Game one is slated to start at 2:30 p.m.
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