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Extra-inning thriller helps Saints softball earn another split

Posted 3/21/16

First-year Allie Courtwright's RBI single up the middle in the top of the eighth inning helped the St. Lawrence softball team earn a split for the second straight day in Florida, as they rebounded …

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Extra-inning thriller helps Saints softball earn another split

Posted

First-year Allie Courtwright's RBI single up the middle in the top of the eighth inning helped the St. Lawrence softball team earn a split for the second straight day in Florida, as they rebounded from a 6-0 loss to Colby in the early game to edge Oberlin College 7-6 in extras.

The first game was 0-0 until a four-run fifth inning for Colby, as the Mules finished with six runs on nine hits. Courtwright was the pitcher or record in the loss; going four innings and allowing six hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts.

Against Oberlin, the Saints gave up three runs in the first inning on a pair of extra-base hits, but answered with four of their own in the top half of the second to take a 4-3 lead.

After a single by Laura Finley to lead off the inning, a walk to Jacqueline Dufour and a pair of fielder's choices, Madison Yarborough stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. The first year drilled a double down the right field line to drive in three runs and tie the game. Two batters later, fellow first year Mylea Mann singled through the right side to score Yarborough and give St. Lawrence the one-run advantage.

The team's traded runs for each of the next four innings, setting up the bottom of the seventh which the Saints entered with a 6-5 lead.

With two outs, a key error in the infield allowed Oberlin to load the bases and then pitcher Kat Ladouceur earned a walk after a lengthy at bat against Saints pitcher Emma Gailey to bring in the game-tying run and force extra innings.

In the top of the eighth Yarborough started on second and advanced to third on a ground out to short by Mann. Courtwright's single up the middle scored Yarborough as the only run the Saints would need to help earn their second win of the year.

Gailey and the Saints stranded two runners for Oberlin in the bottom half of the frame and sophomore Kylee Knight made a highlight-reel diving catch in center to end the game to seal the win.

Mann and Kelsey Murphy led the Saints with three hits each in the second game, while Yarborough's three RBI were a team high. Gailey picked up the win with eight hits and four earned runs in eight innings of work. She also struck out a season high nine batters.

The Saints will continue their Florida schedule with games against SUNY Fredonia and the University of Southern Maine at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.