Little River, SC– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team closed its spring break trip with a sweep, defeating Keene St. University by a score of 6-2 in the first game before taking down Franciscan University by a score of 10-0 in five innings in game two.
GAME 1
The Gators trailed early in the game, after the Owls drove in a run in the bottom of the first inning. NDMU answered back in the top of the second inning, starting with a single by Lilyian Hafner. After Bethani Newbold walked, Bethany Steers hit a sharp ground ball, that forced an error, allowing Hafner to hustle around the bases and score. The Gators took their first lead of the day in the third inning. With runners on first and second, L. Hafner smacked a ball down the left field line, allowing Julianna Leatherwood to score.
Keene St. Answered back, scoring in the bottom of the third inning to level the score at two. NDMU's starting pitcher Jessie Leatherwood kept the Owls off balance most of the day, allowing only two runs on four hits while piling up six strikeouts.
The Gators took firm control of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Ju. Leatherwood led off with a walk and then Je. Leatherwood hit a single to the shortstop, putting runners on first and second. Charlene Torres blasted a single into left field, allowing Ju. Leatherwood to score easily. L. Hafner continued to shine, adding another RBI single through the left side to make the score 4-2. Newbold smacked a single into right center field, bringing in two more runs to push the lead to four. Je. Leatherwood would hold Keene St. to just two base runners over the final three innings, securing the victory.
GAME 2
NDMU started much faster in game two against Franciscan University, grabbing the lead in the top of the first inning. Anabelle Hafner led off by reaching on an error and then stealing third base. Je. Leatherwood crushed a single up the middle that then bounced off the center fielder and rolled to the fence, allowing A. Hafner and Je. Leatherwood to both race around the bases and score. Later in the inning, Torres smacked a single up the middle, allowing Ju. Leatherwood to score stretching NDMU's lead to three.
The Gators added to their lead in the second inning. A. Hafner got the offense rolling, smacking a triple to left field setting the stage for Jessie Leatherwood. Leatherwood crushed a triple to center field, scoring on a throwing error. The triple was her 100th career hit, making her the second player in program history to record 100 hits. NDMU added one more run in the inning to hold a 6-0 advantage heading into the third inning.
NDMU worked the bases loaded with two outs in the third inning, setting the stage for Makayla Lopez. Lopez launched a triple into the right center field gap, scoring all three runs to push the lead to nine. Kayla Bright extended the lead in the fourth inning, driving a hard grounder that allowed L. Hafner to score.
In the circle for the Gators, Malorie Gogel pitched 4.0 innings, shutting out the Barons, recording just four hits and registering a pair of strikeouts. Ju. Leatherwood closed out the victory, recording her first two collegiate strikeouts in the fifth inning.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will return home and then travel to face local foe McDaniel College in a doubleheader on Wednesday, Mar. 20. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.
