May 9, 2010

Box Score

West Haven, CT - The #4 Adelphi softball team fell to American International, 4-3, in extra innings this afternoon in the Northeast-10 semi-finals. The Panthers fall to 32-24 and are eliminated from the tournament, while the Yellow Jackets (27-25) move on to the finals against Southern Connecticut.

Adelphi trailed early on as AIC jumped ahead with two runs in the third inning on a 2 RBI single by Franey.

The Panthers evened the score in the top of the sixth inning. Seniors Rochelle Noren and Katie Brophy each reached on singles and both advanced due to a passed ball. A throwing error by the AIC pitcher pushed junior Shay Craig to first base and allowed both Noren and Brophy to cross home plate, 2-2.

After no action through the seventh, the game went into extra innings, where the Panthers moved ahead in the ninth. Ashley Vinti reached on a fielder's choice, followed by walks for junior Maria Canino and freshman Heather Salerno to load the bases. Despite a pitching change for the Yellow Jackets, another walk ensued to put junior Jeanine Leo on first, scoring Vinti, 2-2.

However, costly errors by the Panthers' infield set up the takeover by the Yellow Jackets. The first two runners reached on errors, as Calgreen's single drove in the game-tying run, 3-3. Benoit, who got on with a fielder's choice accounted for the game-winning run off a third Panther error.

Habib (11-12) recorded the win for AIC in just 2/3 inning pitched. Senior Leighann Bell (17-11) pitched the complete game, allowing nine hits, four runs, two earned with four strikeouts.

Adelphi must now wait the outcome of the NCAA selection to determine if they will receive a bid. AIC will take on Southern Connecticut later today for the Northeast-10 title, with the winner earning an automatic NCAA bid.