North Myrtle Beach, SC - The Vermont State University Lyndon softball team had a busy day at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic on Friday. The Hornets split a pair of countable games, coming from behind to defeat Purchase College and falling to Shawnee State University for the second time. In between, Lyndon dropped an exhibition game to Monroe Community College. The Hornets are now 1-2 on the young season.
Game 1 - VTSU Lyndon 9, Purchase 7
The Hornets spotted the Panthers four runs through four and a half innings. Purchase broke in front with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. The Panthers added single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings before Lyndon was able to break through.
Adriana Lemieux (St. Johnsbury, VT) was hit by a pitch to open the Hornet fifth inning. Ann Watkins (Los Angeles, CA) and Amber Everett (Morrisville, VT) followed with infield singles to load the bases, Blake Southworth (Bethel, VT) singled to left to score Lemieux and put Lyndon on the board. Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) drove in Watkins with another infield hit, then Victoria Valentine (East Burke, VT) delivered a two-run base hit to left field, tying the game at 4-4. After Porter and Valentine advanced a base, Riann Fortin (Newport, VT) reached on an error, scoring Porter and giving Lyndon the lead. Bailey Quire (Gainesville, FL) pinch ran for Fortin and later came around to score on Watkins' base hit, making it 6-4, Lyndon, after five.
Purchase answered in the top of the sixth inning. Melissa Harper led off with a single and came around to score on Samantha Christopher's triple. Christopher came home to tie the game when Kelly Jennings grounded out.
Lyndon regained the advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. Southworth singled leading off, then stole second and third. Claudia Knapp (Howell, NJ) drew a walk, and when Porter reached on an error, Southworth scored to put Lyndon back in front. After Valentine walked to load the bases, Knapp scored when Quire reached on an error. Valentine later scored on a ground out, giving the Hornets a 9-6 lead through six.
With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Jade D'Errico reached on an error, stop second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. She came in to score on Harper's base hit, bringing the tying run to the plate in the person of Devyn Hernandez. Hernandez walked, but Christopher grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game and give the Hornets the win.
Valentine went the distance in the circle to pick up the win for Lyndon, allowing four earned runs and seven hits while striking out eight. Purchase starter Abigail Lipkin took the loss.
Game 2 - Monroe CC 9, VTSU Lyndon 1 (exhibition)
Monroe plated seven runs in the home half of the third inning to seize control of the game. Amanda Linnenbrink had a big game at the plate for the Tribunes, delivering a single and a double and driving in three runs. Isabella Giorgione and Brooklyn Downey drove in two runs apiece.
Quire had a double and two singles for Lyndon. Lindsey Gannon (Beverly, MA) had a double that drove in Valentine with the lone Hornet run.
Linnenbrink picked up the complete game victory, scattering seven hits and striking out three. Lyndon pitcher Hannah Corvino (Milford, NJ) also went the distance and took the loss while yielding six earned runs and 11 hits with four strikeouts.
Game 3 - Shawnee State 8, VTSU Lyndon 0
Shawnee State pitching stifled the Lyndon bats for the second straight day. A Lemieux triple and singles from Everett and Quire were the only Hornet hits off of Bear pitcher Amariah Horner. Horner struck out ten without issuing a walk on her way to the victory.
Meanwhile Shawnee State pounded out 13 hits against. Jenna Christopher led the way with a pair of home runs and three runs batted in. Lauren Spears had a triple, a double and a single, and Sierra Dunnagan had three singles and two runs batted in.
The Hornets will play two games against Division III opponents at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic on Saturday. They will face Saint Elizabeth University at 10:00 am, then take on New Jersey City University at noon.
