COMMERCE, Texas. (February 11, 2024) – The Stonehill College softball team (1-4) fell to Texas A&M Commerce (4-1) on Sunday in the finale of the Lion Classic at the Cain Family Sports Complex, 7-3. The Skyhawks went head-to-head with the Lions three times this weekend, posting a 1-2 record against the host team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first frame of the game, sophomore Natalie Bottiglieri (Massapequa, N.Y.) led off the game with a single, eventually scoring on a fielder's choice as Stonehill took a 1-0 lead.
The Skyhawks tallied two more runs in the second despite the first two batters being retired as junior Chloe Kelly (East Bridgewater, Mass.) sparked a two-out rally before coming home on a throwing error by the Lions catcher. Redshirt sophomore May Dawes (Beacon Falls, Conn.) knocked in the second run of the inning with a single down the right-field line.
Junior Skylar Brandemarte (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) didn't allow a hit through the first eight batters of the game, but the Lions offense got it rolling in the third inning, ripping off three straight singles, a sac fly, and a double that scored two runners as TAMUC took a 4-3 lead. The Lions would score two more runs in the inning to lead 6-3 after the third frame.
Stonehill put one runner in scoring position through the final four innings of the game while TAMUC tacked on an insurance run in the fourth inning, winning the tiebreaker against the Skyhawks, 7-3.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Bottiglieri went 2-3 with a run and a walk out of the leadoff spot for the Skyhawks. Her batting average improved to .400 after five games in Texas and she scored a total of four times this weekend.
- Kelly had a perfect day in the batter's box, going 3-3 with three singles and a run scored.
- Dawes notched her second RBI of the season after a 1-3 performance at the plate, also drawing a walk.
- Despite not getting a hit, junior Shannon Conte (Amesbury, Mass.) drove in her team-leading sixth RBI of the season.
- Freshman Piper Hofmann (Windermere, Fla.) notched a single, a stolen base, and a run scored out of the nine-hole for the Skyhawks.
- Freshman Alexa Hospodar (Old Bethpage, N.Y.) pitched 2.1 innings of relief, allowing just two hits while striking out the first two batters of her career.
UP NEXT
Stonehill softball has nearly a month off before they head to Madeira Beach, Fla. for five non-conference matchups, starting with a pair of games on Friday, March 8 against Siena and Columbia.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android M
