MAY 15, 2010
KING'S SOFTBALL ELIMINATED AN NCAA TOURNEY BY LEBANON VALLEY, 7-2
ITHACA, NY – Third-seeded Lebanon Valley College scored three runs in the game's first at-bats and never looked back as the Flying Dutchwomen posted a 7-2 victory over fifth-seeded King's College in a second-round elimination game at the NCAA Division III National Tournament Regional Championships Saturday at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.
With the loss, King's was eliminated from the tournament and ended its fine season with a 23-18 mark while Lebanon Valley remained alive in the tournament, improving its outstanding record to 33-12.
Lebanon Valley struck first in the game's first at-bats when Kerri Dates singled to lead off and later scored from third on a passed ball. Meaghan Donoghue singled and Katie Freeman followed with a three-run home run to five the Flying Dutchwomen a 3-0 lead.
In the fourth inning Lebanon Valley missed out on a scoring opportunity when leadoff hitter Kristen Uhas reached base on a King's error and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Steffani Secola. After Caitlin Keller struck out, Allie Davies grounded out to third-base as the Lady Monarchs thwarted the Lebanon Valley chance.
The Dutchwomen pushed across another run in the fifth inning when Janey Kozlowski poked a leadoff single to left. After pinch runner Casey Kehr moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kerri Datres, Palmiero singled to move Kehr to third. Following the play, King's starting pitcher Lindsey Hoerner, who has played the post-season with an injured left leg, was removed from the game after being unable to continue in the circle. Donoghue came to the plate and lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home Kehr, giving the Dutchwomen a 4-0 advantage.
King's missed out on a chance in the sixth inning when Erndl led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Stephanie Wingerter. On the next play, however, Meaghan Galvin grounded to short and Erndl was thrown out attempting to reach third base on the play as Galvin reached base. The inning ended when Gretchen Tholen struck out as King's remained behind 4-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lebanon Valley struck again when Secola came through with a two-out single, followed by a and Keller walk. After Davies drew a walk to load the bases Kehr reached base on a King's error, as two unearned runs crossed the plate to up the Dutchwomen lead to 6-0.
The Dutchwomen added their final run in the top of the seventh inning when Donoghue walked, stole second-base and score from third on an infield single by Uhas.
King's had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh when Kayla Rutkoski drew a leadoff walk and Erndl doubled to left field. After Wingerter lined out to shortstop, Galvin stroked a two-run double to left field to bring the Lady Monarchs to within 7-2. The game would end, however, when Tholen's ground ball resulted in the final out of the contest.
The Lady Monarchs posted six hits in the game. Led by Erndl who was 2-for-3
Galvin, Tholen, and Siegfried added one hot each for King's. Hoerner was the losing pitcher, allowing four runs on five hits with four strikeouts in four and one-third innings of work. Erndl finished the game, allowing three runs, one earned, on three hits in two and two-thirds innings.
Val Malizzia was the winner for LVC, allowing six hits while striking out eight batters. Secola was the lone multi-hit player for the victors, going 2-for-3 on the day.
The Lady Monarchs made a valiant effort at the regional tournament, playing without starting right fielder Samantha Hornberger who was unable to attend the event for personal reasons. Also for King's, starting centerfielder Rachel Zinni, who came off an outstanding Freedom Conference Tournament performance, suffered an arm injury during warm-ups just prior to the start of the Lady Monarchs tournament opening loss to Alfred and was barely able to throw. Zinni also did not bat during the final two games of the event due to the injury. Factor in Hoerner's injury and the undermanned Lady Monarchs displayed tremendous heart and determination during the tournament.
Hoerner was rewarded for her overall play being being named to the 2010 Regional All-Tournamemnt Team.
2001 All-Tournament Team
P: Alyssa Brook, Ithaca
P: Laura Snyder, Lebanon Valley
C: Natalia Stockinger, Polytechnic
1B: Caitlin Ryan, Ithaca
2B: Kait Dolan, Ithaca
SS: Jesika LeBaron, Alfred
3B: Molly Shepherd, Alfred
OF: Nicole Hendrick, Alfred
OF: Molly O'Donnell, Ithaca
OF: Lorraine Stoddard, Cortland
DP: Kerry Barger, Ithaca
At-Large: Lindsey Hoerner, King's
At-Large: Donnalyn Cross, Cortland
At-Large: Meaghan Donoghue, Lebanon Valley
At-Large: Katie Finch, Cortland
