Skyhawks Stymied By LeMoyne's Vanacore
Syracuse N. Y.- LeMoyne hurler Jenna Vanacore won both games of a doubleheader, getting a win in relief in game one and striking out 10 in a complete game performance in game two, to lead the Dolphins to 7-6 and 1-0 wins over visiting Stonehill on Saturday afternoon at the Niland Athletic Complex.
The Dolphins improved their record to 28-8 overall, 15-2 in the NE-10 while the Skyhawks fell to 18-14 overall and 10-8 in Conference action.
Stonehill held a 6-3 lead going into the bottom of the sixth of game one before the Dolphin bats connected on three straight extra base hits. Back-to-back doubles were followed by Emma Muphy's third homer of the season, knotting the game at 6-6 and chasing starter Danielle Mason (Salisbury, Mass.) after five innings.
The game remained that way until the bottom of the seventh when Bailey Phillips led off the inning with a single to third off of reliever Kait Mendall (Middleboro, Mass.). A sacrifice and a pop up, had Phillips at second with two outs, when Caitlin O'Neill ended the game with a single up the middle.
Vanacore picked up the win, tossing an inning of hitless relief.
Amazingly, Vanacore pitched the nightcap, going seven innings, allowing six hits and striking out 10 in the 1-0 win. Katie Mottau (Woonsocket, R.I.) pitched well for Stonehill, going six innings and giving nine hits and striking out three.
The game's only run came in the LeMoyne third when a double, a single and an infield hit produced a score.
The story proved to be Vanacore, who struck out at least one Stonehill batter in every inning with the exception of the fourth.
Stonehill got two doubles and three RBI from Kate Brides (Bridgewater, Mass.) in the first game and two hits from Lauren Rappoli (Wilmington, Mass.) in the second to highlight the Skyhawk offense.
Stephanie Folan (Glen Cove, N.Y.) went a combined 3-for-7 on the day with two runs and an RBI. In the process, she moved into first place on the school's all-time at-bats list.
The Skyhawks will play a doubleheader at St. Rose on Sunday beginning at 12 noon.