LITTLE RIVER, S.C. – The Purchase College softball team concluded its three-day run in the Fastpitch Dreams Classic Saturday with a pair of non-conference losses inside the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. The Panthers faced the hot-hitting Lynchburg University Hornets in the opener before battling another offensive powerhouse—the Kean University Cougars—in game two. 

Lynchburg 12, Purchase 0 (5 Inn.)
Lynchburg used seven hits—including three doubles—in the bottom of the fourth to turn a 2-0 advantage into a comfortable 12-0 lead.

The 10-run inning put the game out of reach for Purchase as the Panthers would only produce two hits across five innings. Olivia Audia (FR/Dover Plains, NY) and Jade D'Errico (SO/Wantagh, NY) broke the ice with back-to-back a singles in the top of the fourth.

Lynchburg starting pitching Emily Charlton (3-2) recorded the win, while PC's Tara Sasso (JR/North Rockland, NY) (0-3) was tagged with the loss. 

Kean 11, Purchase 0 (5 Inn.)
Paige Metz (3-for-3) and Melody Caces (2-for-2) stayed perfect at the plate to lead the Cougar offense against Purchase.

Kean tallied four runs in the first two innings as Metz, Caces and Jenn Majorczak all batted in a run.

In the fourth, Metz added another RBI, while Eliza Filus smashed a three run inside the park homer to increase Kean's lead to 9-0.

Lauren Paulko added the final two runs in the fifth with a double to right center field.

Heather Clevenger earned her first victory of the season with seven strikeouts, allowing just two batters to reach base. Purchase senior Kelly Agostini (Centereach, NY) (0-3) picked up the loss.

Up next, Purchase will return to its home diamond to play host to the Lehman College Lightning on Mar. 8. First pitch for the Panther home-opener and non-conference doubleheader is slated for 3:30 p.m.