Blue Hens Split Softball Doubleheader With Delaware State, Winning Opener 7-6 Before Dropping Nightcap, 12-2
March 30, 2011
Photos Courtesy of Erik Mackey
• Game 1 Boxscore
• Game 2 Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. -- Junior Amanda Stacevicz delivered two hits and also picked up the win in the circle to lead the University of Delaware softball team to a 7-6 win in the opener before Delaware State answered with a 12-2 victory in the nightcap as the two squads split a doubleheader in the Route 1 Rivalry Wednesday afternoon.
In the opener the Blue Hens, who are now 10-21 on the season, took control early by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Jenny Richards opened the frame with a triple to right field, and she immediately scored when Michelle McKinnon singled up the middle. Following a sacrifice bunt by Lara Andrews and an intentional walk to Stacevicz, Gina Knutson drilled a two-run double to right field as Delaware went up three runs. After advancing to third on a passed ball Knutson scored on a bunt by Rachel Jones, while later Michelle Grap delivered an RBI single to right to cap the rally.
The Hornets, who are now 17-9 on the year, got two runs back in the second as Janelle Lukens led off with a walk and Stephanie Martello drilled a two-run homer to center. But Delaware got a run right back in the bottom of the frame as Andrews reached on an error and pinch runner Samantha Pettie came around to score on a double to left center by Stacevicz.
Delaware State pulled within 6-3 in the fourth when Ashley Davis led off with a single and eventually scored on a passed ball, but the Blue Hens again answered during the bottom of the frame when Brittany Noons legged out an infield single to chase home Knutson.
The Hornets would get back in the game during the top of the fifth when Martello recorded an RBI groundout before Davis drilled a two-run home run to center to pull Delaware State within 7-6. But that would be as close as the Hornets would get, as Stacevicz allowed only a walk in the sixth and a single in the seventh to give Delaware its first home victory of the season.
Stacevicz (at right), who allowed three runs, zero earned, on three hits in 3.1 innings of relief, improved to 6-7 on the season. Anne Marie Pagano started in the circle for Delaware and was charged with three runs, two earned, on six hits in 3.2 innings of work. Stacevicz also led the way at the plate by finishing 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Knutson was 1 for 3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored.
Delaware State jumped ahead in the nightcap during the top of the first when Andrea Waters doubled to center and eventually scored when Lukens reached on an error by McKinnon at second base. But Delaware would get the run right back, as Richards (at left) led off with a single to right and advanced all the way to third when the ball got by DSU rightfielder Casey Beighley. Richards then scored on a passed ball to knot the game at 1-1.
However the Hornets would take control in the second, as Leslie Pleasanton scored on a throwing error by Grap at third base and Martello followed with a two-run double to right to put Delaware State on top, 4-1.
Delaware closed to within two in the fourth when Richards led off with a single to right, moved to second on a bunt by McKinnon, advanced to third on a single by Andrews, and scored on a bunt by Stacevicz. Delaware State would continue to pad its lead in the fourth, though, by tacking on three additional runs. Jordan Reid scored the first run of the frame on a wild pitch, while consecutive RBI doubles by Beighley and Lukens increased the margin to 7-2.
The Hornets added a run in the sixth when Martello doubled and came around to score on an single by Beighley, and put the game away with four runs in the seventh. Davis scored on a wild pitch, and after Reid doubled home a run, Waters closed the scoring with a two-run shot over the fence in left center.
Stephanie Sarris improved to 3-0 for the Hornets after allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits with five strikeouts. UD starter Hannah Rust fell to 0-3 as she was charged with seven runs, just one earned, on eight hits in 3.2 innings, while Kathleen Conway gave up five earned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of relief. Richards, Andrews and Jones each posted two hits during the second game to lead the Delaware offense.
The Blue Hens, who took two of three games at George Mason last weekend, return to CAA action on Saturday with a 12 noon doubleheader at Hofstra.
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