AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Dayton softball team was eliminated in the title game of the 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship by Fordham, 8-2, Saturday afternoon at Sortino Field.
Dayton ended its record-breaking 2015 season with a 39-14 overall record. Senior Tiffany Ricks finishes her career as the Flyers' all-time RBI leader with 126.
Both teams were scoreless through the first three innings but Fordham (36-18) got things going in the fourth when a Ram reached on a Flyer error and Rachel Gillen followed with a double. Senior Natalie Mariano made a great play at the wall, saving a home run, but Fordham scored its first run on the play. A Ram was hit to load the bases and Gillen scored on a fielder's choice. Two more runs came across on a subsequent double and Fordham went ahead, 4-0.
Dayton threatened in the bottom of the fifth after a single, a walk and a Ram fielding error loaded the bases with one out but the Flyers' next two batters were retired, ending the rally. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, sophomore Gabrielle Snyder beat out a throw to first and Ricks followed with her 14th home run of the season to bring across two runs for the Flyers. UD cut into the FOR lead, 4-2.
The Rams scored four insurance runs in the top of the seventh after loading the bases with just one out. Gillen knocked out just her fifth home run of the season for a grand slam, giving the Rams an 8-2 advantage.
Junior Kennedy Haynes singled to start off the bottom of the seventh and freshman Jaclyn Kweder was walked to put two on. Mariano reached on a fielder's choice as Kweder was put out at second and Haynes reached third. With two outs showing, the final Flyer batter was retired as the Rams claimed the 8-2 championship win to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Snyder (8-6) was charged with the loss in the circle for Dayton. She worked three innings two runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Freshman Manda Cash tossed 3.1 innings of relief, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and struck out four to zero walks. Senior Kayla English closed out the game for UD, giving up two runs on one hit.
Gillen (23-8), the tournament's Most Valuable Player, earned the win after throwing a complete game. She gave up two runs on five hits and struck out seven while walking two.
Three Flyers were named to the All-Championship Team: Manda Cash, Tiffany Ricks, Gabrielle Snyder.
Dayton athletics would like to thank the Flyers' four senior team members – Lindsey Diggs, Kayla English, Natalie Mariano and Tiffany Ricks – and graduate student Jordan Jennings for their hard work and dedication to the program. We would like to wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
