BOX SCORE GAME ONE |
BOX SCORE GAME TWO
DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton softball team lost a pair to UMass today, falling 8-2 and 5-4.
UD narrowly missed knocking off the No. 21/22 ranked team in the second game, carrying the lead half-way through the sixth. Dayton had the opportunity to tie in the seventh but left two stranded, giving the Minutewomen the victory.
“The team came out ready to play. The girls put up a strong offensive effort, especially in game two,” said head coach Cara Clark-LaPlaca. “We also had great production from our pitchers, all three filled their roles and are pleased with their performances.”
Despite the losses, Dayton put up a combined 14 hits against top ranked pitcher Sara Plourde, including 10 in game two. No other team all season has tallied more than eight hits against Plourde.
“We were really proud of our offense, especially Molly Meyer,” added Clark-LaPlaca. “She found a way to get on base, had four hits and scored two runs. It was a great peformance.”
Senior Meyer led the way going 4-for-6, including a perfect 3-for-3 in game two, and reached first base six times in her eight at bats. Brandy Brown and Kathleen Maloof both recorded three hits throughout the twin bill, Brown going 3-for-4 with one run in the second game and Maloof singling twice in game one and adding a third single in game two. Anne Maci smashed a two-run home run in game one, to tie the game. Courtney Kutsulis matched Maci’s effort in game two, knocking in a two-run homer to give the Flyers an early lead and Lauren Nacke had two hits while reaching first three times.
In game one, the Flyers found themselves down two runs entering the third inning. The Minutewomen tallied their first run with a lead-off homerun in the first inning. UMass followed that up with a second run in the second inning after a single, steal and throwing error brought the runner home. Dayton responded in the top of the third. Meyer reached first base on a well-placed bunt down the third base line. Maci then sent a long-ball to right center, clearing the bags and tying the game at two.
A five-run fourth and one-run fifth by the Minutewomen put the game out of reach for the Flyers. UD strung together two runs in the sixth, but couldn’t break through with a run. Maci started the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Maloof single. Nacke followed with a single of her own to load the bags but three straight outs left the runners stranded.
With one more chance in the seventh, Dayton once again nearly came away with runs. After a quick strike out, Kutsulis walked, while Meyer reached on an error by the catcher. A passed ball advanced the runners to second and third but a strikeout ended the stanza.
All three pitchers saw action in game one. Amanda Daly took the loss, with Eva Rappe and Sarah Wedel pitching relief. The three combined for five strikeouts throughout the game, with Wedel closing the game with no hits and striking out two.
Dayton jumped out front first in game two. After a scoreless first inning, Brown started the second inning with a single through the left side and advance to second when Megan Lee hit into a fielder’s choice. With Brown on second, Kutsulis smacked a two-run homer, giving the Flyers an early 2-0 lead.
UD looked to add to its lead in the fourth. A single by Brown quickly gave the Flyers their first base runner. A throwing error allowed Megan Lee to reach first and Pohlman, pinch running for Brown, to advance to second. On a caught foul ball, Pohlman and Lee each moved up a bag, putting runners in scoring position with only one out. However, two consecutive strikeouts left the two stranded.
The Flyers found themselves back one to start the fifth, after a three run fourth by the Minutewomen. Two singles, a hit by the pitch and a base-clearing double gave UMass a 3-2 lead. Adding to her two singles, Meyer got on base with a third single this time to right field. A sac bunt by Maci put Meyer on second and she scored when Maloof singled up the middle. Maloof moved to second on a wild pitch and a double by Nacke brought Maloof home, allowing Dayton to regain the lead.
The Minutewomen responded in the sixth. Three walks and a single tied the game at four all. With the bags still loaded, a fourth walk gave them the game winning run.
Maloof got on base in the seventh with a single, but over aggressive base-running on a Brown single gave the Flyers two outs. With Daly pinching running and on second, Lee hit a strong ball, but a diving catch ended the game.
Wedel started the game and pitched into the fifth, giving her the loss. She added two strike outs giving her four on the day. Daly entered in relief and finished allowing no hits and one strikeout.
The Flyers finish up the season this week with double headers at Cleveland State on Tuesday May 4 and George Washington on May 8.
