The Eastern University softball team was more or less in control of their own playoff destiny coming into this afternoon's double header at Wilkes. The Eagles would have needed some help from other teams in the conference, but a sweep at Wilkes would have aided their chances.
Eastern took care of business in game one, using three first inning runs to propell them to a 5-2 victory. However, the Eagles playoff hopes were dashed with one swing of the bat by the Colonels' Rachel Miller. The freshman catcher's solo home run broke a 2-2 tie, giving Wilkes the 3-2 win in the night cap.
The Eagles jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Theresa Esposito started the inning by reaching first on an error by the Wilkes first baseman. Esposito advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stephanie Weaver. After a one out walk to Michele Morongell, Janelle Fair ripped a single scoring Esposito. The Colonels left fielder misplayed the ball, allowing Morongell to move to third and Fair to advance to second. Successive RBI singles by Jaclyn Gangemi and Carly Rawlings gave Eastern the 3-0 advantage.
Eastern tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth. Samantha Terenzoni led off the inning with a bullet single to right field. Terenzoni capitalized on a misplayed hop in the outfield, advancing all the way to third on the hit. Valerie Heffline dribbled a ground ball to short. Terenzoni who was moving on any ground ball, slid into home knocking the ball out of the catcher's glove for the score. Heffline eventually game around to score the fifth run of the game on an RBI double by Esposito.
Fair, a freshman pitcher from Manheim, Pa. was able to keep the Colonels off balance throughout the entire game. The Manheim Central graduate threw six scoreless innings before Wilkes was able to string their offense together in the bottom of the seventh. The Colonels used back to back doubles and a single to score two runs, but the Eagles pulled their defense together to pick up the final two outs of the inning to earn the win. Fair scattered eight hits and struck out five to pick up her sixth win of the season.
The Eagles scored first in the second game. Terenzoni doubled and was able to advance to third on a wild pitch. The sophomore from Peabody, Mass. came in to score on a passed ball a few pitches later.
Wilkes responded in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs. The Colonels' Gina Stephanelli ripped a two-run double down the line, making the score 2-1.
Eastern evened the score in the top of the sixth. Heffline started the inning with a walk. The junior advanced to second on a ground ball to first base. Terenzoni walked, placing runners on first and second for the Eagles. Morongell battled through a tough at bat to make a productive out, moving both runners up a base with a ground out to first base. Heffline broke for home on a passed ball and knocked the ball out of the pitcher's glove who was covering the plate with a head first dive to score the run.
The Eagles picked up two quick outs in the bottom of the sixth, but it was the solo shot by Wilkes' Miller that proved to be the difference maker in the game.
Kristine Rosko took the hard luck loss on the mound. The junior right hander scattered six hits in six innings of work with two strike outs.
Eastern will return home on Saturday, May 1 to finish up the 2010 season against Misericordia University. The double header is set to start at 1:00 PM
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
