Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
The Lehman College softball team (0-2 Overall, 0-0 CUNYAC) started its season on Tuesday afternoon with consecutive losses, falling to the Mariners of the United States Merchant Marine Academy by scores of 11-0 and 18-6 at the South Field in the Bronx. Both games were ended early due to the mercy rule, with game one lasting six innings, and game two totaling five frames.
In the first game of the afternoon, the story of contest was the outstanding pitching performance put forth by USMMA's Jess LaValley as the standout hurled a complete-game six inning shutout, allowing just two base hits while striking out 18 batters. The only hits she allowed were a pair of singles to Lehman's Vania Cadet and Claribel Herrera. The Lightning's Racine Brown took the loss for Lehman, allowing 11 runs (just five earned) in six innings of work.
Offensively for the Mariners in game one, it was Kaitlyn Robbins leading the way as she finished the contest 1-for-4 with a homerun, two runs batted in, and two runs scored. Nicole Kogel went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, three stolen bases, two runs scored, and two walks in the victory as well.
In the second game of the afternoon, the Lightning sent Natalie Martinez into the pitcher's circle and she allowed a total of three runs over the first two innings as USMMA grabbed a 3-0 lead after an inning and a half, but Lehman College would strike back by scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning off of Mariner's game two starter Kaitlyn Robbins. The five-run outburst for the Lightning was highlighted by six Lehman College walks and two base hits. Bethany Rodriguez, Kelsey Ash, Fanny Souffront, Jennifer Mena and Samantha Baez would all dent home plate, and the Lightning took a 5-3 lead.
The Mariners would respond, however, plating four runs in the top of the third inning and 10 more in the fourth inning to eventually put the game out of reach. Offensively for USMMA in game two, it was Robbins finishing 2-for-5 with a double, a homerun, and three runs scored and five runs batted in.
At the dish for the Lightning in game two, it was Souffront finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, two runs scored, and an RBI, and Ash hit a double and went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a run batted in.
The Lightning will return to action on Thursday afternoon as the team takes to the road to battle SUNY Purchase in a single game, with start-time scheduled for 3:30pm.
