March 19, 2007
Kissimmee, FL - The Endicott College softball team dropped a pair of one run games Monday, losing 5-4 to Smith College and 7-6 to Saint Norbert in Kissimmee, Florida.
The Gulls took an early lead in their first game against Smith, taking advantage of some sloppy fielding and picking up a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. EC's first four batters safely reached base led off by a single from Jenna Lazar (Milton, MA/Milton). Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME/Oak Hill) then reached on an error and Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, MA/Triton Regional) followed up with a walk. Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard) then reached base on an error that allowed Lazar and Danielle Sargent to score, giving Endicott a 2-0 lead.
EC pitcher Robin Savitske (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley) held Smith to just one hit in the first four innings before the Pioneer bats woke up striking for five runs on five hits in the fourth inning, giving Smith a 5-2 lead. Savitske would settle down holding the Pioneers to two hits and no runs over her final two innings.
Endicott put together a late game rally scoring two runs in the sixth inning and cutting the Pioneer lead to one. Sarah Spaziano (Norton, MA/Norton) singled, driving in Maria Mangine (Lockport, NY/Lockpo). Spaziano would later score on an RBI single from Dottie Bartsch (Salisbury, MA/Triton Regional). The Gulls threatened to tie the game in the seventh when Danielle Sargent's lead off double put the game tying run in scoring position with no outs, but EC could not drive her in from second.
Savitske (0-2) finished the game allowing nine hits and earned runs while striking out six over six innings. Danielle Sargent had a solid game at the plate going two-for-four with a run scored. Taylor Sevigny (Fitchburg, MA/St. Bernard's) went two-for-three with an RBI for the Gulls.
Endicott dropped its second game of the day to St. Norbert 7-6, falling to 1-3 on its season opening trip. The Green Knights jumped out to an early lead scoring six runs in the first inning on two hits and taking advantage of four EC fielding blunders.
Endicott would battle back pulling to within one run after collecting a run in the third and tacking on four more in the fifth inning. Right fielder Jackie Collier (Swampscott, MA/Bishop Fenwick) scored the Gulls first run after working a lead off walk in the third. She was driven home after an RBI single from Meghan Sargent.
EC picked up four runs on five hits but stranded two base runners in the fifth cutting the Green Knights lead to one. Meghan Sargent picked up her second RBI of the game after doubling home Lazar, she would score after Rachel Pearson followed with another double. Maria Mangine then singled driving in Pearson. Sarah Spaziano scored the Gulls fifth run thanks to an RBI single from Collier.
St. Norbert answered back in the top of the sixth inning, managing a run on one hit and one Endicott error. The Gulls closed the gap to one run in the bottom of the inning as Spaziano drove in Lazar from third, but that was as close as EC would get, falling 7-6.
Maria Mangine went seven innings, giving up six hits, walking two and striking out one, all seven Green Knight runs were unearned. The Gulls got solid performances from Jenna Lazar who went two-for-two with two runs scored. Meghan Sargent was two-for-four with a run scored and two RBI for the Gulls in the loss.
Endicott falls to 1-3 on the year and will continue its play in Florida with two games Tuesday. EC takes the field against Allegheny at 9:00 am and returns to the diamond at 11:00 am to take on Colorado College.
