BALTIMORE– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team fell to Albright College by a score of 8-7 in eight innings on Monday, April 15. The second game of the doubleheader was suspended due to darkness in the top of the fifth inning.
The Gators got off to a slow start, allowing Albright College to score four runs in the top of the inning. NDMU had an immediate response in the bottom of the inning. Anabelle Hafner led off the inning by drawing a walk and stealing second base. Julianna Leatherwood was hit by a pitch and Jessie Leatherwood drew a walk to load the bases. Charlene Torres popped a single into center field allowing a run to score. Lilyian Hafner was then hit by a pitch, walking in the second run of the inning. Later in the inning, Kayla Bright drew a walk, bringing home the Gators third run of the game. Eleanor Flores tied the game at four, pushing a single through the left side.
The Lions scored in the second and fifth innings to build a 6-4 lead entering the bottom of the fifth inning. Flores and Ju. Leatherwood each drew a walk to put a pair of runners on base. Je. Leatherwood hammered a double off the center field fence, allowing both runners to score and tie the game at six. The Lions surged back in front, scoring in the top of the sixth inning. L. Hafner led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch and then advancing to third on a pair of wild pitches. Bethani Newbold then hit a grounder on the right side, allowing Hafner to score and level the game at seven.
Neither team was able to score in the seventh inning, sending the game into extra innings. Albright scored in the top of the eighth inning, taking an 8-7 lead. NDMU would get a pair of runners into scoring position in eighth inning, but could not plate a run, falling by one.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will head north to battle Clarks Summit in a critical United East doubleheader on Tuesday, Apr. 16. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
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