Lyndonville, VT - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon rallied from a seven-run deficit in the nightcap of today's non-conference softball doubleheader against Northern Vermont University-Johnson to pick up a 9-8 victory and complete the sweep of the Badgers. Lyndon has now won ten games in a row and has beaten Johnson all seven times that the teams have played this season. The Hornets are now 15-9 on the season, while the Badgers fall to 1-28.
Game 1 - NVU-Lyndon 6, NVU-Johnson 1
The Hornets broke on top in the bottom of the first inning. Blake Southworth (Bethel, VT) singled with one out, then Seairra Anderson (Somersowrth, NH) doubled, moving Southworth to third. Claudia Knapp (Howell, NJ) lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Southworth and giving Lyndon the early lead.
Things stayed that way through three innings. Mariah Mushkin drew a walk leading off the Johnson fourth. After Sabrina Colon reached on a fielder's choice, Aaliyah Jones delivered a base hit to center field, moving the tying run to second base. Jennavieve Rapoza then grounded to Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT), who cut down the lead runner at third. However, the next batter, Matea Smith, singled to drive in Jones and even things at 1-1. Kylie Olay then walked to load the bases, but Hornet pitcher Victoria Valentine (Lyndon, VT) got out of the inning with no further damage when she got Savannah Dufresene to pop out.
In the bottom of the fourth the Hornets got their bats going against Johnson starter Mushkin. Porter was hit by a pitch leading off. After Valentine reached on a fielder's choice and a Johnson misplay allowed Porter to take second, Riann Fortin (Derby, VT) doubled to deep right field, scoring Porter and putting Lyndon back in front. Lauren Siciliano (Lynbrook, NY) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Amber Everett (Morrisville, VT) then came through with a two-run base hit, and an Anderson single drove in another run, making it 5-1, Lyndon.
That would be all Valentine would need, as she kept the Basgers off of the scoreboard over the final three frames. Lyndon would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Southworth drove in Jordan Adams (Lyndon, VT), who had singled leading off the inning.
Valentine picked up the win, scattering six hits and a pair of walks over seven innings. Mushkin took the loss, allowing four earned runs and ten hits while striking out a pair.
Game 2 - NVU-Lyndon 10, NVU-Johnson 9
The Hornets again jumped in front in the bottom of the first inning. Everett reached on an error leading off, then came around to score on Southworth's double. After Southworth moved to third on Anderson's ground out, Knap's sacrifice fly made it 2-0, Lyndon.
The lead would prove to be short lived, as the Badgers put together a two-out rally to score four unearned runs in the top of the second inning. Drew a walk off of Hornet starter Anderson to lead things off, then Smith reached on an error, with Rapoza moving to third. when Olay grounded out to Porter, Rapoza broke for home, and was gunned down at the plate by Fortin, completing the double play. However, Dufresene followed with a base hit to right, scoring Smith. After back to back walks loaded the bases, Mushkin beat out an infield hit, allowing Dufresene to score the tying run. Colon followed with a two-run single, and the Badgers suddenly had a 4-2 lead.
After the Hornets went quietly in the home second, Johnson added to their lead in the top to the third. After back to back walks opened the frame, Olay reached on a fielder's choice, with the runners advancing on a throwing error while the Hornets attempted to complete the double play. Dufresene then reached on an error, allowing Smith to score. Evelyn Brubaker's two-out double brought home another unearned run, extending the Johnson lead to 6-2.
Johnson pitcher Alexis Fleischer again set the Hornets down in order in the bottom of the third inning. The Badgers then proceeded to add to their lead in the top of the fourth. Jones drew a one out walk, then Rapoza doubled, putting runners at second and third and chasing Anderson. Valentine came in in relief and Smith greeted her with a base hit, scoring Jones. Then with two out, Dufresene's base hit to right field drove in two more runs and the Badgers found themselves with a 9-2 lead.
Lyndon began to get to Fleischer in the bottom of the fourth inning. Anderson singled leading off, then back to back doubles by Knapp and Porter each brought home a run. One out later, Fortin launched a two-run home run over the right center field fence, pulling the Hornets to within 9-6.
After Valentine retired the Badgers in order in the top of the fifth inning, Lyndon put together a two-out rally in the bottom half. Anderson and Knapp singled back to back, then Porter drove a Fleischer pitch over the left center field wall to tie the game at 9-9. Valentine then singled back up the middle, and Fortin doubled, scoring Valentine and putting the Hornets in front, 10-9.
Johnson threatened to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning. Rapoza delivered a one-out single to center, then was lifted for pinch runner Kayla Irick. After Smith was hit by a pitch, moving the tying run to second, Hornet catcher Knapp gunned down Irick trying to steal third. Valentine then got Olay to pop out to end the threat.
Johnson again got the tying run in scoring position in the top of the seventh inning. Ella Embry drew a one-out walk, then stole second on the next pitch. However Valentine was able to retire the next two hitters to close out the comeback win.
Valentine picked up the win in relief, allowing one unearned run and three hits while walking one in 3.2 innings. Lyndon starter Anderson had given up eight runs, only two earned, with a pair of strikeouts and six walks over the first 3.1 innings. Fleischer took the loss for Johnson, allowing ten runs, eight earned, on ten hits with two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
The Hornets will look to extend their winning streak and earn a North Atlantic Conference playoff berth this weekend when they host a pair of conference doubleheaders. On Saturday they will host Thomas College in a 1:00 pm doubleheader. Then on Sunday, they will host the University of Maine at Farmington for two games starting at noon. Lyndon is currently in second place in the NAC East Division, one game in front of both Thomas and UMF. The top three finishers in each division will qualify for the NAC Championship Tournament.
