Rockville Centre, N.Y. - Another late comeback wasn't on the cards for the Adelphi University softball team on Tuesday afternoon.

Having come back from a deficit in game two to sweep Mercy College in their last time out on Sunday, the Panthers nearly rallied from a 6-0 deficit in game two of a doubleheader at Molloy College, but had to settle for a split as the Lions claimed an eventual 7-6 win. 

The Panthers (6-11) won game one by a 4-1 score, thanks to a two-RBI, 2-for-3 game from Ashley Lombardi and a complete game, nine-strikeout effort from Ally Muller in the circle.

In the opener, the Panthers got on the board with the three-run fourth inning thanks to a two-run double off the freshman's bat, and then an RBI double from Kailah Konkel that scored Lombardi. 

After the Lions (8-13) got one back in the fifth, Lombardi helped the Panthers restore a three-run cushion for Muller, as she singled through the right side to move the runners along before Jessica Vadala ran home thanks to a misplay in the Molloy outfield.

In game two, Molloy got up big early, touching up Nicole Mengel for five runs in the first three innings, with two driven home by designated player Mikaela Tribby. 

Trailing 6-0, Adelphi broke up the shutout in the fifth again thanks to Lombardi, whose RBI double scored Emily Turney from second, and one inning later, Nicoletta Cuccio launched her first home run of the season to make it a 6-3 game. 

After Hannah Pineda also went deep to start the seventh, Adelphi eventually plated two more as Lauren O'Neill cracked a double to left with two outs, but Tonianne Larson won the battle at the plate against Emily Whitman, inducing a game-ending popout by the reigning Northeast-10 Rookie of the Week.

The Panthers return to Janet L. Ficke Field for the first of three home doubleheaders this week on Thursday, when they host the University of Bridgeport beginning at 2:30 p.m.

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About Adelphi Athletics
A regionally and nationally competitive NCAA Division II institution located in Garden City, N.Y., Adelphi University has been a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference since 2009.

Winners of 16 NCAA Division II National Championships and four NE10 Presidents' Cups, Panther athletes have excelled at the conference, regional and national level, both on the field of play and in the classroom. In turn, the Adelphi athletic department is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, equity and success where its student-athletes can thrive both on campus and off.

Stay connected with Adelphi Athletics by following the Panthers at aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and wear your Panther pride by shopping official Adelphi Panthers gear at our licensed team store.