Morrisville State softball goes 1-1 in first round of NEAC Championships

Third seed Morrisville State College softball team split the first round of North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) action Friday, falling 3-0 to second seed SUNY IT before edging fourth seed Cazenovia 5-4.



Morrisville State improves to 15-14 with the wins and advances to play top seed Keuka College Saturday at 12 p.m.



In the opener, Lauren Marleau hit a double in the bottom of the sixth inning for SUNY IT driving in two to break the scoreless tie, and Bianca Brown followed with a double to center field to drive in another as the Wildcats took the 3-0 lead.



Cassandra Smith (Lansing, NY) and Eileen Farrell (Johnsonville, NY) each singled to put two on base for the Mustangs in the top of the seventh inning, but Juleah Vedder struck out the final two batters to secure the win for the Wildcats.



Gabby Gallart (Montgovery Village, MD) led Morrisville State at the plate, hitting 2-of-3, while Smith and Farrell each were 1-for-3.



Jenna D'Ercole (Highland, NY) recorded the loss, throwing six innings allowing six hits and three earned runs, while striking out six.



Marleau and Brown each were 1-for-3 from the plate to lead the Wildcats, while Vedder recorded the win on the mound, allowing four hits in seven innings while striking out nine.



In the second game of the day, Cazenovia led 4-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Kayla Walker (Oneida, NY) doubled to left field to drive in Jessica Rigg (Homer, NY) and Smith followed with a single to drive in Kate Jones (Valley Cottage, NY) for the game winner as Morrisville State took the 5-3 victory.



Smith was 3-for-4 from the plate to lead the Mustangs, recording two RBI's, while Jones went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Walker was 2-for-4 with a double.



Amber Nichilo (Staten Island, NY) threw the first four innings for the Mustangs, allowing eight hits and three runs, while striking out three. D'Ercole closed, throwing the final three, allowing one hit and run, recording seven strikeouts while recording the win.



Mo Brosnan recorded the loss for Cazenovia, throwing 6.1 innings and allowing 11 hits, and five earned runs.