Aston, Pa.– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team used an offensive explosion to sweep the University of Valley Forge in their United East opener on Friday Mar. 29. The Gators racked up 38 hits in the 18-0 and 16-1 victories over the Patriots.
GAME 1
Anabelle Hafner wasted no time in setting a tone for the day, smashing the first pitch of the day over the left field fence for her second home run of the season. The Gators then loaded the bases with no outs in the inning. Lilyian Hafner lifted a single into left field, plating NDMU's second run of the game. Bethani Newbold kept the offensive rhythm going, blasting a sacrifice fly deep into center field. Kayla Bright cleared the bases, launching her first career triple over the Patriots' left fielder. Malorie Gogel plated NDMU's sixth run of the inning, reaching base off an error. The lineup turned over and in her second at bat of the inning, A. Hafner smashed a double into center field, scoring Gogel. Julianna Leatherwood closed out the scoring in the opening inning, smacking a double into center field giving NDMU an 8-0 lead.
NDMU continued to score at will in the second inning. L. Hafner led off the inning by knocking a ball off the center field fence, resulting in a triple. Newbold perfectly placed a ball down the left field line, resulting in a triple that scored L. Hafner. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Ju. Leatherwood pushed a single past second base, driving in the Gators ninth run of the game. Jessie Leatherwood continued the scoring run, drawing a walk that plated a run. Charlene Torres hammered a double into center field, scoring two more runs, giving NDMU a 13-0 lead.
In the circle, the Gators got a great pitching performance from Malorie Gogel. Gogel pitched 5.0 innings, blanking Valley Forge while allowing only three hits while recording a career-high seven strikeouts.
The Gators increased their advantage in the third inning. NDMU once again loaded the bases and Ju. Leatherwood slashed an RBI single into left field. Je. Leatherwood, Torres and L. Hafner rattled off three-straight RBI singles, pushing the advantage to 17. Makayla Lopez tacked on a run in the fourth inning, scoring Bright with a hard ground ball. Gogel struck four of the last six Patriots batters, securing the victory.
GAME 2
The Gators wasted no time building a lead in game two of the doubleheader. NDMU put runners on second and third for Torres, who blasted a double into center field, clearing the bases to take the early lead. The Gators loaded the bases and then Bethany Steers singled into center field, bringing home two more runs. Candace Forgach-Aguilar then punched a single into center field, scoring NDMU's fifth run of the opening inning. A. Hafner reached base on a fielders' choice, scoring Steers to increase the lead to six. Ju. Leatherwood drove in two more runs with a double into center field, making the score 8-0.
NDMU scored one run in the second inning and then looked to rack up a few more in the third inning. A. Hafner led off with a walk and Je. Leatherwood launched a double into left field to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Torres then emptied the bases, smashing a three-run home run over the left center field fence. This was Torres' second home run of the season and NDMU's seventh home run of the season, matching a program record. Newbold drove in NDMU's 13th run of the game, reaching on an error.
The Gators showcased their depth in the fourth inning, having some pinch hitters continue to execute at a high level. Lopez led off the inning by hitting a single past second base. Gena Donalds then rocketed a ball off the center field fence putting a pair of runners in scoring position. Gogel kept the rally going, smacking a double into left field that scored two more runs. Scarlett Miller added another run, driving a single into right field that plated a run. NDMU remained in charge, powering to a 16-1 victory.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will host Widener University in their home opening doubleheader on Tuesday, Apr. 2. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
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