GRANTHAM, Pa.— Eastern University Softball (25-8) was unable to generate enough offense in a 2-1 MAC Commonwealth Tournament-opening loss to the York Colelge Spartans. Despite finishing with only three hits, the Eagles left runners on base in each fo the first five innings. The Eagles will play the Stevenson University Mustangs in what they hope will be the first of three elimination games tomorrow at 2:00.
Emily Trzonkowski (15-1) allowed only three hits in the game. Unfortunately for the Eagles, two of those came with two outs in a the top of the sixth inning. The fist of those hits came on a ball topped halfway to third. Noelle Smith, York's designated player ambushed the first pitch over the fence in center. That home run was the first she had allowed since giving up a home run in relief to York on March 14.
The Eagles had chances to generate runs earl, but they did not push a run across the plate until
Sydney Ostolaza flipped a looping line-drive over third base with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth. While the Eagles scored a run, the play turned into an out at third when
Ainsley O'Donnell broke back to second with the ball at third.
Mackenzie Laub hit the next ball hard, but a diving grab at short ended the rally.
Maryanna Nagle had two of Eastern's three hits in the contest.
The Eagles will take on a Stevenson Mustang squad that lost to Messiah in five innings today. The winner of that game will take on the loser of tomorrow's first game between Messiah and York.
