Erin Beane
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Erin Beane's huge two-run single in the 11th inning gave King's a game-one victory over FDU and helped propel the Monarchs to a doubleheader sweep

King's Softball Sweeps FDU to Clinch Freedom Conference Tournament Berth and Second Seed

4/26/2014 6:28:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
APRIL 26, 2014

KING'S SOFTBALL CLINCHES FREEDOM CONFERENCE TOURNEY BERTH WITH SWEEP OF FDU

WILKES-BARRE -- Erin Beane delivered a clutch two-run single with two-out in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the King's College softball team a dramatic 9-8 victory over visiting FDU-Florham in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday in the Betzler Athletic Complex. King's then went on to win game-two 8-0 in five innings.

With the win King's clinched its 15th consecutive Freedom Conference berth. The Lady Monarchs secured the number-two seed in next week's conference tournament, improving to 26-8 overall and 10-4 in league play.  FDU-Florham, meanwhile slipped to 16-16 and 9-5, and will be the third seed in the Freedom Tournament. King's and FDU will again meet in the opening round of tournament play on Friday.

In the opener King's overcame a 3-0 deficit with five runs in the third inning. Amanda Cardone delivered a two-run single while Beane, Maggie Gola and Amy Kowalczyk added RBI singles.  The Monarchs added another run in the fifth when Beane singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gola to push the King's lead to 6-3. 

But the Devils scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to send the game to extra-innings.   After FDU broke through with a run in the 10th to take a 7-6 lead, King's countered with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame when Beane scored on a clutch two-out RBI single from Kowalczyk to send the game into the 11th inning.

FDU again scored to take a 8-7 lead but the Monarchs would again respond. With Nicolette Pizzo placed at second due to the international tiebreaker, Lisa Alley reached base on a bunt as Pizzo advanced to third. After Alley moved to second without a throw, Beane then came through with a two-run single to right field to give King's the victory.

Beane was 3-for-6 with three runs and three RBI while Cardone and Kowalczyk were both 2-for-5 with two RBI. Alley was also 2-for-5 with a run scored. Rachel Linso was the winning pitcher for King's in relief of starter Brittany Haight, allowing three runs, one earned, with three strikeouts in five and two-thirds innings.

In the second game King's struck early with three runs in the first inning after Harnischfeger led off with a double and Erin Beane singled. Cardone followed with a run-scoring single before Gola added a two-run triple.

King's added a run in the second when Harnischfeger singled and scored on a base hit from Cardone.  The Monarchs tacked on four more in the third when Pizzo singled and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Alley then poked an RBI single up the middle and Harnischfeger delivered a two-run double to push the score to 7-0. Cardone would then bring home Harnischfeger from third with a sacfrifice fly to set the final score.

Cardone finished the second game 2-for-2 with three RBI while Harnischfeger was 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI. Gola was 2-for-2 with two RBI while Alley and Kelsie Senchak were both 2-for-3. Karissa Kross tossed a strong five innings, allowing only three hits while striking out five batters.

King's will close out the regular-season on Tuesday when the Monarchs host 2013 NCAA Division III national runner-up Cortland State University at 3:00 p.m.
 
 
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