Pioneers Fall in Extra Innings in Opening Game of NCAA Tournament
Ithaca, NY (5/9/13)- The Utica College softball team dropped a heartbreaking extra-inning affair Thursday night as it fell to Washington College 11-6 in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers will now play Penn. State- Berks in the elimination game at noon on Friday.
Washington scored one run in the top of the first, but with runners on second and third, freshman Abby Monroe picked up a big strikeout to hold the score at 1-0. UC evened the game as senior Bridgette Plummer ripped a line drive that the second baseman could not handle and Meghan Matan was able to score. Just two batters later, senior Mallory Ingalls ripped a two-run homer, her eighth of the year, over the left field fence to give UC a 3-1 lead.
The Shorewomen put up five runs combined in the second and third innings before the Pioneers were able to slow down the offense. UC tied the game at six in the bottom of the sixth as junior Chelsea Monroe hit a three-RBI double down the left field line to score Taylor Ellis, Dominique Carcone, and Christy Traglia. Neither team could score in the seventh frame, forcing extra innings.
The Pioneers found themselves in a tight spot in the top of the eighth with runners on second and third, until junior Meghan Matan came up with a huge unassisted double play to help UC get out of the inning. However, UC was unable to convert in the bottom of the frame as the score remained 6-6. Washington exploded for five runs on five hits in the top of the ninth to all but seal the victory. UC had two hits in the bottom of the inning, but was not able to plate another run.
Ingalls and freshman Taylor Ellis each had two hits on the day, while Matan, Plummer, Carcone, Traglia Courtney Fitzgerald, and Cassie Smith each had one hit. Abby Monroe allowed seven hits and struck out three in two innings, while Erica Colucci gave up 10 hits in six innings of work as she shouldered the loss.
Jaclyn Jayo was Washington’s top performer as she went 4-for-5 on the day with two RBI and one run scored. Kristin Copper allowed three runs and struck out five in eight innings for her 14th win of the season.
The Pioneers drop to 33-13 and will take on Penn. State-Berks, which lost its first game against Lebanon Valley 7-0. Game time is set for 12 p.m. on Friday in a must-win game.