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Gators Drop Opening Pair of 2008
March 7, 2008
SALISBURY, Md. – The Allegheny College Gator softball team dropped the first two games of their 2008 season, falling 9-3 to Christopher Newport and 5-0 to tournament host Salisbury at the Sea Gull Invitational.
In the opening game, the 9-3 loss to Christopher Newport, the Captains scored one run in each of the first four innings, taking a 4-0 lead before the Gators countered with a run in the bottom of the fourth frame, scoring after Rachel Ryan (West Salem, Ohio/Northwestern) led off the inning with a double, before scoring on a Rebecca Burns (Rogersville, Pa./West Greene) single. Christopher Newport answered with a trio of runs, taking their lead to 7-1.
The Blue and Gold reached the scoreboard for the second straight inning when Abby Bodenlos (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy) reached on an error, stole a base and was moved to third on a Ryan groundout. Liz Burr (Farmdale, Ohio/Badger) walked to put runners on the corners before Burns doubled, driving in the pair, and cutting the deficit to 7-3. Two more runs by CNU on a triple, a sacrifice fly and a home run, capped the scoring in the game at 9-3.
Burns went 2-for-3 in the contest, driving in all three runs, with Ryan and Katie Wills (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) each reaching base twice on a hit and a walk. First-year Gator Amanda Downey (Essex Junction, Vt./Essex) picked up the loss, pitching all seven innings and allowing eight earned runs while striking out a pair and walking two.
In the rain-soaked nightcap, the Gators were unable to push a run across the plate, despite having runners in scoring position in three separate innings. The Eagles scored what would eventually be the game-winning run in the second frame, before adding two more in the fourth and one in both the fifth and the sixth innings.
Ryan was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk, while Wills picked up the team’s other hit, a double, putting her at 1-for-2 on the day. Downey went the distance for the Gators, allowing three earned runs and struck out three while giving out a half dozen free passes.
The Gators will look to break out of their early-season slump tomorrow, as the team plays against Virginia Wesleyan and Kings.