For the third consecutive game, the softball team took a lead into the late innings. In all three games, the result has been the same as the Bombers surrendered their late leads twice and were swept in a doubleheader by host University of Rochester on Saturday.
In the first game, the South Hill squad took the lead in the first inning on junior third baseman Molly O’Donnell’s triple that scored sophomore second baseman Julianne Vincent.
That would be the only scoring for either side until the bottom of the sixth as sophomore pitcher Sam Bender shut down the Yellowjackets’ offense, giving up only two hits in five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, Rochester’s rally began with sophomore shortstop Megan Hennessey’s double. After an intentional walk to set up a double play, the Yellowjackets were able to steal second base. That set up freshmen third baseman Brittany Grage’s double down the right field line that scored two runs and took the lead for Rochester.
The Bombers could not respond in the top of the seventh and dropped the first game 2-1.
In game two, the Blue and Gold again carried the lead this time into the seventh inning. Despite leading 5-1, the Yellow Jackets answered with five runs to steal the second game.
The Bombers got the offense started again in the third inning. Sophomore designated player Sydney Folk’s RBI single with the bases loaded, followed by three Rochester errors, gave the Blue and Gold early breathing room. The South Hill squad also added two additional runs in the fifth to take a four-run lead.
The pitching for the Bombers was outstanding until the final inning as sophomore pitcher Jillian Olmstead held Rochester to five hits and one run while striking out four through six innings.
Olmstead got the first two outs in the seventh, but after that, the wheels slowly came off for the Blue and Gold. Sophomore first baseman Nina Korn started the rally for Rochester with a double and later scored on an error by junior first baseman Carianne D’Alessandro. After giving up an additional two runs, the Bombers pulled Olmstead and put Bender on the mound to get the final out with runners on third and second base. Another error by D’Alessandro tied the game, setting up senior leftfielder Cara Celorio to single in the winning run for the Yellowjackets.
The South Hill squad’s home matchup today against Stevens Institute of Technology has been postponed due to rain. The doubleheader will be played at 1 p.m. on April 28 at Kostrinsky Field.
The Bombers will square off next against rival SUNY-Cortland in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Kostrinsky Field.
