The Eastern University softball team returned to action after Easter break on Tuesday afternoon. The results were not what the Eagles had hoped for as they dropped a pair of conference games to Delaware Valley College 4-3 and 3-2.
In the first game, the Eagles were able to rally back from a 1-0 deficit in the top of the fourth. Eastern loaded the bases on singles by Michele Morongell, Amy Bellows, and Molly Oberholzer. Jaclyn Gangemi then ripped a single down the right field line to plate Louise Fox and Kristine Rosko who pinch ran for Morongell and Bellows respectively. Oberholzer also came around to score off of an RBI single by Jaime Schwartz giving the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.
Delaware Valley chipped away at Eastern's lead, plating a run in the bottom of the fifth as well as the bottom of the seventh. With the score knotted at 3-3, the two teams headed for extra innings. Despite putting the lead runner on base in the top of the eighth, the Eagles were unable to score. The Aggies jumped on the opportunity, scoring the game winner off of a two out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.
In the second game, Eastern took control early scoring a run in the top of the first off of a bases loaded RBI walk by Gangemi. However, the Aggies game back in the bottom of the second to tie the game at one run a piece.
The Eagles were able to regain the lead in the top of the sixth. Schwartz started the inning off with a lead off walk. Rosko came in to pinch run for Schwartz and moved to second on a Samantha Terenzoni sacrifice bunt. Carly Rawlings ripped a single to center, advancing Rosko to third. Rosko was then able to score as the throw from centerfield to third base went out of play.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the game would end up the same as the first as the Aggies rallied to put two runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh to pick up their second walk off win of the afternoon.
"Today was a rough day for us," commented head coach Brittany Stroop. "We played extremely hard and both teams played some fantastic softball. For us though, we were unable to put insurance runs on the board in key situations. We talked after the games about not being satisfied with only scoring just enough runs to win. We need to keep pressure on teams. Hopefully we can start working on that tomorrow against Widener."
Eastern hits the road again tomorrow for a double header under the lights at Widener. The games are set to begin at 5:00 PM. Widener is also hosting a special Strike Out Cancer event during the games.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
