Senior Megan Ruonavaara pitched six innings, only allowing one unearned run in the loss to Findlay. |
Skyhawks fall to Findlay, 4-1, and California (Pa.), 10-0
CLERMONT, Fla. (March 5, 2016) – The Stonehill College softball team opened its 2016 campaign today dropping a pair of contests against the University of Findlay and California University (Pa.) at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida. Stonehill fell to Findlay 4-1, before dropping a 10-0 decision to California (Pa.), who is ranked No. 15 in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Poll.
Senior Lauren Esposito (Middlefield, Connecticut/Coginchaug) had two hits for Stonehill, while Classmate Megan Staudle (New Windsor, New York/Cornwall Central) recorded two hits and Alison Sumski (Amherst, New Hampshire/Souhegan) recorded one hit and the lone run for the Skyhawks.
Senior Megan Ruonavaara (Rocky Hill, Connecticut/Rocky Hill) started the game in the circle for Stonehill, allowing one unearned run on five hits over six innings.
Senior Lauren Esposito went 2-for-3 with a RBI in the loss to Findlay |
Findlay got on the board first in the top half of the second inning, when Keeton knocked a single and came around to score on an error. Stonehill responded in the bottom half of the inning after Sumski reached base on an error and scored when junior Jacklyn Oleksak (Massapequa, New York/Plainedge) hit into a fielder's choice.
Neither team had much success for the next four innings, as both teams averaged less than a hit per inning. Findlay opened the game up in the seventh and final inning however, as the Oilers came around to score three times. Scherger led the inning off with a double to put herself in immediate scoring position. She was then moved to third on a sacrifice fly and came in to score when Harvey hit a grounder to third base and the throw reached the plate too late. After Harvey stole second, sophomore Haley Apple (Westerville, Ohio/Big Walnut) knocked her in with a single. The Oilers closed the door on any comeback attempt, allowing a single to Stuadle before retiring the rest in order.
Coming into the season, California (Pa.) was ranked in the top five in the nation according to the NFCA Division II Poll. They proved why they deserved such lofty preseason praise, running away with a 10-0 victory over Stonehill. Senior Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) pitched a complete game shutout with six strikeouts, while only allowing three baserunners all game. Freshman Taylor Robblee (Woodstock, Ontario/College Avenue) finished 3-for-3 from the plate with a homerun and five RBI, while Jacquelyn Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) went 1-for-3 with three RBI to pace the Vulcans.
Stonehill's best scoring opportunity came in the fifth, when junior Taylor Lester (East Northport, New York/St. Anthony's) hit a single with two outs in the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sagl registered a strikeout the next at bat, however, as Lester was left stranded on base.
Stonehill (0-2, 0-0 NE-10) will look to bounce back tomorrow as they return to action for a doubleheader against Ohio Dominican University and Shippensburg University at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks mobile app on iTunes and the Android Market.