WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After suffering a 7-2 loss in game one, the East Stroudsburg University softball team picked up its first win of the season in game two, as Abigail Weirich smacked a go-ahead two-run RBI single in the top of the 7th to lift the Warriors past Palm Beach Atlantic, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon at Simpson Field.
The Warriors (1-3) look close its Florida trip strong on Sunday against Barry, while the Sailfish are an even 4-4 through eight games.
Notables
- Shannon Edelman blasted three RBIs on three hits on the day to lead ESU. Weirich tallied the two crucial RBIs to propel the Warriors to its first win of the season in game two, while Reilly Vicendese also contributed an RBI.
- Molly Nies led ESU with four hits on the day, all singles. She also stole a base and recorded five assists in the field. Joining Edelman, Weirich, and Vicendese with three hits were Lexi Wright and Jada Smallwood, who continued to her hot start as a Warrior with three singles in eight at bats. Kaitlin Houser also registered multiple hits, including a double.
- Vicendese crossed home plate three times, while Wright also posted multiple runs with a pair.
- In the circle, Morgan Chapman (L, 0-1) tossed all six innings in game one, allowing just one earned run on 11 hits, with six unearned runs crossing the plate in the third inning. She struck out a pair while walking three. Leigh Ann Jenkins got the start in game two, allowing four hits but just one earned run in three innings of work. Maddy Pritchard (W, 1-1) picked up her first collegiate win in relief, allowing just an unearned run on three hits the final four innings.
How it Happened – Palm Beach Atlantic 7, ESU 2
- ESU started the scoring again in its third game this season, as Edelman was able to single home Vicendese, after Vicendese singled and stole second base with one out.
- Jenkins allowed a single in her first action of the day with two outs, but was able to strikeout the next batter to avoid damage.
- In the bottom of the second, Jenkins allowed a single to start the frame, but got the next two Sailfish out via a strikeout and flyout. Back-to-back singles followed, as PBA tied the contest at 1-1 following two innings.
- The Sailfish took control in the bottom of the 3rd, with six runs on three hits and an error. A single and error gave PBA a 2-1 lead, while two-out grand slam lifted PBA to a 7-1 lead. The Sailfish tacked on an additional run with a two-out RBI single.
- With PBA holding a 7-1 lead, the game remained scoreless until ESU's final at bats in the top of the 7th. After Wright reached base via an error with one out, Nies sent a single passed the first baseman to put runners on first and second. After a flyout, Edelman registered her second RBI of the game with a single to left to score Nies. A groundout at the next at bat ended the game, with ESU dropping to 0-3 with the 7-2 loss.
How it Happened – ESU 4, Palm Beach Atlantic 2
- This time, Palm Beach Atlantic struck first in the top of the 2nd. A leadoff single later setup an RBI single with two outs, as PBA led 1-0 after two frames.
- In Warrior fashion, ESU immediately struck back, as Wright led the inning off with a double, as Nies followed with a single and stolen base. Vicendese sent home Wright with a single, but Nies was thrown out at home for the first out. Vicendese was able to advance to second on the play and later took third on a passed ball. She would help ESU retake the leas after Edelman smacked a single to centerfield, as ESU led 2-1.
- The pitcher's duel would remain scoreless until the bottom of the 6th. After a groundout and an error, PBA used a single and flyout to advance a runner to third base with two outs. A clutch singled tied up the game with the unearned run crossing the plate. Pritchard was able to get the final out via the strikeout to keep it a 2-2 contest.
- ESU, looking to avoid a similar loss to its first game of the season, started the top of the 7th strong with a Wright single. Nies and Vicendese both followed with base knocks to load the bases with no outs. Edelman, who posted both RBIs in game one was up, but the Sailfish used a fielder's choice to prevent the run from scoring for the first out. After a foul out for the second out, Weirich came in clutch with a single to centerfield to score both Nies and Vicendese, as the Warriors led 4-2 going into the bottom of the 7th.
- Pritchard got the first batter via a groundout before giving up a single up the middle. The freshman settled and picked up her first win after a groundout to herself and a lineout for the 4-2 win.
Up Next
- ESU (1-3) closes its Florida trip at Barry (7-2) on Sunday. First pitches are set for Noon and 2:00 p.m. in Miami Shores. Â
