University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Drops Non-Conference Doubleheader at Army, 4-3 and 7-0 (Apr. 2, 2013)
4/2/2013 4:48:00 PM | Softball
WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Army posted a 4-3 comeback victory during the opener before recording a 7-0 triumph in the nightcap as the Black Knights swept a non-conference softball doubleheader from the University of Delaware on a cold and windy Tuesday afternoon at the Army Softball Complex.
The Blue Hens, who dropped to 25-8 on the year, appeared to be in control of the first game when Delaware scored three runs in the opening two innings. Jessica Grisler opened the contest with a double to leftcenter, while one out later Lara Andrews (at right) singled to center to put runners on the corners. Gina Knutson then legged out a bunt single to drive home Grisler, while Andrews later scored on a throwing error by Black Knights catcher Rae Anne Payleitner.
Delaware then loaded the bases in the second inning as Marisa Newman was hit by a pitch before Kaitlyn Breneman and Grisler walked, while Andrews worked a two-out base on balls to force home pinch runner Shelby Jones and make it a 3-0 game.
However Army, which improved to 16-13 this season, would begin its comeback during the bottom of the third by pushing across a pair of runs to pull within one. After singles by Kasey McCravey and Alex Reynolds opened the frame the runners executed a double steal, with McCravey scoring on the play on a wild throw from behind the plate by Breneman. UD starting pitcher Taylor Curran rebounded to retire the next two batters on groundouts, but April Ortenzo then poked an RBI single to rightcenter to cut Delaware's lead to 3-2.
The Black Knights then loaded the bases with one out in the fourth on three consecutive singles, before Amanda Nguyen crossed the plate on another throwing error by Breneman. Payleitner then legged out an infield single, allowing Reynolds to score the go-ahead run.
Army pitcher Morgan Lashley would make the lead stand up, as she allowed only a pinch hit single to Mary O'Reilly in the sixth inning during the final three frames. Lashley improved to 13-9 on the year after giving up three runs, two earned, on five hits in seven innings of work. Curran dropped to 5-3 for the Blue Hens as she was charged with four runs, three earned, on eight hits in 3.2 innings, while Stacevicz fired 2.1 scoreless frames of relief.
The Black Knights then took early control of the nightcap with four runs in the bottom of the first inning against UD starter Hannah Rust. Reynolds singled home Nguyen with the first run of the game, while one out later Ortenzo blasted a three-run homer to left as Army went up by four.
The Black Knights loaded the bases with two outs the following inning, and after Kiersten Coffman replaced Rust in the circle for the Blue Hens, Marina Northup delivered a two-run single to left to make it a 6-0 game. Neither team would score again until the bottom of the sixth, when Nguyen led off with an infield single and eventually scored when Northup reached on an error by Andrews.
Meanwhile Army pitcher Braetana Ray ran into little trouble all day, as she allowed just a pair of doubles to Newman and Stacevicz to record the shutout and improve to 3-4 on the season. Rust lost her first decision of the year after allowing six runs, two earned, in 1.2 innings, while Coffman gave up just one unearned run on five hits in 4.1 innings of work.
Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association action on Saturday when the Blue Hens head to Fairfax, Va. for a 12 noon doubleheader at George Mason.
