March 17, 2011

Adelphi vs. AugustanaAdelphi vs. Wayne State

Kissimmee, FL - The Adelphi University softball team ended their southern swing on Thursday, March 17 in Kissimmee, Florida against Augustana and Wayne State. The Panthers rallied late but fell to Augustana, 3-2 and were out hit by Wayne State, 8-2. The losses drops Adelphi's overall mark to 4-8 after seven days in Florida.

Adelphi vs. Augustana
Adelphi and Augustana played three scoreless innings before The Augies used a one out home run to get on the board. An inning later Augustana scored on a one out single and a sacrifice fly, pushing their lead to 3-0 after five innings of play.

After mustering just three hits in the first five innings the Panther bats came alive in the sixth as Adelphi posted four hits and two runs. Heather Salerno smacked a one out single and was driven home a batter later by Shay Craig, who ripped a double. Craig was driven home two batters later by Deandra Leo, who sent the ball to right field.

Unfortunately, 3-2 was as close as Adelphi would get, managing just a single in the seventh inning. Leighann Bell was saddled with the loss, throwing 4.1 innings of three run six hit softball, striking out four. Natalie Camarda pitched 1.2 innings of relief, giving up just one hit and holding Augustana scoreless.

Craig led the offensive attack, going 2-3 with one run and one RBI, while Leo was 1-3 win an RBI and Emily Dorko was 1 for 2.

Adelphi vs. Wayne State
Wayne State immediately put pressure on the Panthers, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Adelphi responded by holding the Warriors scoreless for the next three frames, but could not push anyone across the plate and still trailed, 2-0 after four innings.

In the fifth the Panthers retired the first two Wayne State batters in order, but a two out error led to two Wayne State runs and kept the inning alive, eventually resulting in four runs for the Warriors. Adelphi rallied in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs after getting base hits from Katie Andrews, Liz Linder and Emily Dorko, loading the bases. Shannon Maloney and Linder were driven home by Salerno, but a Craig pop out ended the rally.

Wayne State tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh and set Adelphi down in order in the bottom of the frame to secure the win.

Katie Andrews threw five innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out four, while Bell and Paige Rhodes combined for two innings of three hit, two run relief.

Dorko was 3-3 on the day, while Andrews was 2-2 at the plate and Salerno was 1-3 with two RBI.

Adelphi returns to action on Wednesday, March 23 when they travel across town to take on C.W. Post at 3:00 pm.