BRONX, N.Y. - The Purchase College softball team split games in their matchup against the University of Mount Saint Vincent on Friday afternoon.
With the results, the Blue and Orange now stand at 9-10 overall and 5-1 in conference play, while the Dolphins shift to 5-16 and 2-4, respectively.
Game One: Panthers 5, Dolphins 4 (7 inn)
After a slow start for both teams, the Panthers surged ahead in the top of the third inning, capitalizing on opportunities to put runs on the board.
Melissa Harper (FY/Patchogue, NY) got on base first while solid hits from Tyler Salerno (FY/Kings Park, NY) and Samantha Christopher (FY/North Babylon, NY) loaded the bases. A fielding error coupled with Rebecca Bronzi's (Lagrangeville, NY) hit, saw three runs crossing the plate. Finally, a well timed double from Jade D'Errico's (SR/Wantagh, NY) added two more runs, securing a 5-0 lead for Purchase.
Responding in the bottom of the third, the home team struck hard with a powerful triple, putting one run on the board.
Despite a subsequent lull in the fourth inning, the Dolphins rallied in the fifth, adding three more runs to narrow the deficit to 5-4.
However, strong pitching from both sides held the scoreline steady till the final inning ending the game 5-4.
Individually, D'Errico led the team with 2 RBI's and one double while Salerno had a team high three hits and one run.
On the mound, Samantha Christopher clinched the win with a solid 4-inning performance, allowing four runs on six hits while securing four strikeouts. Katie Straub (FY/Lynbrook, NY) is credited with the save after three-inning display, conceding zero runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
Game Two: Panthers 2 , Dolphins 5
Despite a strong performance in the first game, Purchase struggled to carry forward its momentum into the second matchup.
Mount Saint Vincent, determined to rectify the earlier setback, seized an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with a daring home steal.
Building on their advantage, the home team added four more runs across the subsequent innings, establishing a commanding 5-0 lead by the bottom of the fifth, while the Panthers struggled to respond.
As the game entered the top of the sixth, the Blue and Orange sought to stage a comeback. Kelly Jennings (SO/Yorktown Heights, NY) ignited hope with a well-placed hit to right field, capitalizing on a fielding error to bring Christopher and Salerno home.
However, these two runs proved to be the extent of their resurgence, as the game concluded 5-2 in favor of the Dolphins.
Individually, Salerno led the charge in game two with two hits and one run, supported by Christopher's contribution of a hit and a run.
On the mound, Olivia Goff (FY/Syracuse,NY) was saddled with the loss after conceding five runs on five hits across 4.2 innings of play while tallying three strikeouts.
The Blue and Orange are back in action on April 21st as they head to Mount Saint Mary College for a doubleheader starting at noon.
