BOX SCORE GAME ONE |
BOX SCORE GAME TWO
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Dayton Flyers used 12 hits to scatter 11 runs in a come-from-behind win over Rhode Island. The Flyers split the day, losing the first 3-2 and winning the second 11-6.
During the two games, three Flyers broke career and season records. During game one, Freshman Kathleen Maloof recorded two doubles, which tied and broke the single season record for doubles. Since 2000, the record stood at 17, with a third double in game two, Maloof now has 19 doubles. In the second game, a Molly Meyer steal not only added to her career record total, but also broke the single season record for stolen bases. A record that was last set in 1997, Meyer now owns it with 27. Two innings after Meyer’s steal, Lauren Nacke took sole possession of the career home run record with her 17th home run in only two years. Until today, two Flyers held the top spot at 16, the last ending her career in 2005.
Throughout the twin bill, Dayton recorded 22 hits and only two errors to Rhode Island’s 19 hits and four errors. The Flyers were nearly flawless, going 14 innings without committing an error.
Strong pitching was a feature in both games. Freshman Amanda Daly followed up her career weekend with another quality performance. In game one, Daly pitched a complete game, including a perfect second inning striking out all three batters.
Despite taking a loss, Dayton showed offensive power during game one. Maloof led the way going 3-for-5 and hitting two doubles. Both Meyer and Raime Cronkhite went 2-for-4 and scored the Flyers’ two runs. Three other Flyers contributed to UD’s 10 hit game.
The Rams wasted no time getting on the board, scoring off a single in the first inning. After three scoreless innings, the Flyers responded in the fifth. Cronkhite started the inning with a double to left field and advanced to third on an infield hit by Emily Stegeman. Meyer then hit her second double of the game, scoring Cronkhite. Senior Anne Maci added a single and Meyer used to her speed to score. Dayton ended the inning with a 2-1 lead.
Rhode Island quickly responded, tying the game two all. They looked to score more, with two on and no outs, but the Flyers ended the inning with a double play.
The Flyers and the Rams remained in a defensive stalemate over the next three innings. UD threatened in the eighth, loading the bags but the inning ended with a fly ball to center.
In the ninth Dayton looked poised to score, Maloof hit another double and quickly found herself on third with no outs. A walk put Nacke on first but a quick pop up to third base and double play left Maloof stranded.
The game ended in the ninth after the Rams started with a double and scored on a single to right field.
Dayton responded to the tough loss immediately in game two. Meyer started the game off with a single. An error by the Rams allowed Maci to reach first and put Meyer on third. A stolen base and a wild pitch brought Meyer home and got Maci to third. Maloof sent Maci home with a ground out to second base. Two quick outs ended the inning giving the Flyers a 2-0 lead.
The quick start did not rattle the Rams. Three singles in a row gave the Rams their first run. Another single loaded the bags and a two doubles brought in four runs. After entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs, Sarah Wedel managed to get the Flyers out of the inning without allowing another run to score.
Dayton spent the rest of the game slowly chipping away at the Rams’ lead. In the third, Meyer led off with a single to center field. She then reached second on a ground out. After being joined on base by Nacke, who walked, Meyer advanced to third on an error. The pair then pulled off a double steal, Nacke moving to third and Meyer scoring at home. Kutsulis reached on a walk and Brown added a single, scoring Nacke and bringing the Flyers within one.
With one out and the bases loaded, Rhode Island added to their lead, scoring off a sac fly. Another strong defensive effort ended the inning allowing only one run.
Down two in the fifth, Nacke smacked a homer to left field. That home run marked the seventh of the season and 17th of her career, giving her sole possession of Dayton’s career home run record.
UD tacked on five more hits and four runs in the sixth, which would prove enough to secure the win. Two singles and a groundout put Kutsulis and Cronkhite on first and third respectively. Meyer added to her two hits with a single to center, tying the game. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Maci cranked a long ball to center, clearing the bags and gave the Flyers a 9-6 lead.
Dayton would add two insurance runs in the seventh. Brown started the inning with a single and Shelby Pohlman entered as a pinch runner. After reaching second on a ground out, Pohlman scored on a Rhode Island error, which also put Stegeman on first. Carlyn Harlow ran for Stegeman and scored before the final out recorded.
The win was Wedel’s sixth this season. Her one strike out came at a critical moment during the first inning, helping the Flyers get out of a bases-loaded situation.
Four Flyers contributed two or more hits to the 12 hit, 11 run romping. Meyer added to her record total (190), going 3-for-5 (5-for-9 on the day) and scored three runs. Cronkhite, Courtney Kutsulis and Brandy Brown all went 2-for-4, while three other Flyers tallied a hit a piece. Throughout both games, nine Flyers contributed at least one hit.
Tomorrow the Flyers travel to University of Massachusetts to take on the No. 21/22 ranked Minutewomen. The first pitch is slated for noon with the second game to follow at 2 p.m. ET.
