|
|
| Maria
Gentile |
Kristen
Williams |
Box score (game one)
Box score (game two)
JESSUP, Pa. – The University of Scranton softball team was
knocked out of playoff contention on Saturday after losing to
Susquehanna University, 7-2 and 6-2, at the Jessup Youth Sports
Complex.
The Royals fell to 13-16 and 4-6 in Landmark play, tied with
Juniata for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Eagles earn the
playoff berth by way of a tiebreaker after Juniata and Scranton
split their two games earlier in the season.
Susquehanna improved to 31-6 and 8-2 in conference play, earning
the top seed in next week's playoffs.
In the opener, the Crusaders scored five runs in the second to
take control. They added a run in the fifth before the Royals tried
to rally with two in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman outfielder
Maria Gentile (Jefferson Township, Pa./North
Pocono) delivered both runs with a two-run single.
Susquehanna added an insurance run in the seventh and shut the
Royals down over the final two innings. Gentile finished with a
pair of hits and two RBIs, and losing pitcher Alison Kucharski (Hampton, N.J./North
Hunterdon) had the other hit for Scranton.
In the second game, the Crusaders jumped ahead with a pair of
runs in the top of the first, but Scranton tied it up in the bottom
half when senior third baseman Kristen Williams (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe
Woodbury) blasted a two-run homer, her second
round-tripper of the season.
But Susquehanna retook the lead with a run in the second and
added two more in the third for a 5-2 lead. Freshman hurler Ashley
Cole (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place) took control from there,
finishing with a two-hitter while allowing one walk and striking
out 13.
Sophomore outfielder Gabrielle Santarelli (Peckville, Pa./Valley
View), who scored on Williams' homer, had the
Royals' other hit.
Scranton will return to action on Tuesday, April 30, when it
hosts Muhlenberg at 5 p.m. at the Jessup Youth sports Complex
--ROYALS--
