WILKES-BARRE – Lindsay Zekus delivered the game-winning RBI in the sixth inning as fourth seeded Manhattanville College remained alive in the Freedom Conference Softball Championships with a 3-2 win over second-seeded FDU-Florham Saturday at King's College's Betzler Athletic Complex.
With the win, Manhattanville improved to 15-17 on the year and moves on to an elimination game with top-seeded DeSales University. FDU-Florham, which went 0-2 in the tournament, sees its season end with a 14-19 mark.
The game was scoreless until Manhattanville broke through in the top of the third when Zekus smacked a leadoff home run over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead. The score jumped to 2-0 two batters later when Jessica Van Galen belted another home run for the Valiants.
In the bottom of the fifth inning FDU finally answered when Maggie Murphy led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Liz Spiller was hit by a pitch, Brittini Wurst reached safely on a slap single to second base to load the bases. Two batters later Sarah Lima delivered a two-run single to center to knot the game at 2-2.
The Valiants immediate responded in the top of the sixth inning when Kim Angiolillo singled, moved to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on a bunt. Zekus then stroked an RBI single to give the Valiants a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh for FDU, Liz Spilled drew a leadoff walk. After Howe retired the next two batters on foul pop outs, Sarah Lima walked to give the Devils runners at first and second. But the game ended when Christine Antonetti grounded out to short.
Manhattanville posted 11 hits in the game, led by Zekus' 4-for-4 showing. Nicole Bifulco also had two hits to pace the Valiants. Samantha Howe was the winning pitcher allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out two batters.
Lima and Murphy led FDU with two hits. Karla Babb, who entered the game in relief, took the loss, allowing the winning run on six hits with three strikeouts.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, May 6, 2011
Game 1: #1 DeSales def. #4 Manhattanville, 7-1
Game 2: #3 King's def. #2 FDU-Florham, 2-1
Game 3: #3 King's def. #1 DeSales, 4-2
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Game 4: #4 Manhattanville def.. #2 FDU-Florham, 3-2 (FDU eliminated)
Game 5: #1 DeSales vs. #4 Mahattanville, 11:00 a.m. (Loser eliminated)
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Freedom Conference Championship
Game 6: #3 King's vs. Winner Game 5, 1:00 p.m.
Game 7: Same Teams as Game 6 if necessary, 3:00 p.m.*
*Note: Game 5 winner must beat Game 3 winner twice
