Chambersburg, PA– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team earned the program's first ever playoff victory, defeating #5 Clarks Summit University by a score of 5-4 on Friday, May 3. Earlier in the day the Gators fell to #2 Rosemont College 8-1.
GAME 1
The Gators fell behind early in game one as Rosemont College scored four runs in the first two innings. NDMU tried to climb back in the game in the third inning. Julianna Leatherwood started the rally with a single to shortstop. Jessica Leatherwood drove a single into right field and Charlene Torres drew a walk to load the bases. Bethani Newbold put the Gators on the board, lifting a sacrifice fly into center field scoring Ju. Leatherwood. NDMU was not able to plate another run and Rosemont scored three-runs in the bottom of the inning to build a 7-1 advantage.
NDMU tried to battle back, putting runners in scoring position in both the fifth and sixth inning, but they could not cut into the deficit. Rosemont added one more run in the fifth inning to secure the 8-1 victory.
GAME 2
NDMU needed to battle back in the double elimination tournament, needing to beat #5 Clarks Summit University to keep their championship aspirations alive. The Defenders struck first, plating two runs in the top of the first inning. The Gators responded, scoring in the bottom of the inning. Ju. Leatherwood led off the inning by crushing a double into right center field. Je. Leatherwood then drove a single up the middle, scoring the team's first run of the game.
The Gators tied the score in the bottom of the second inning. Malorie Gogel singled up the middle and stole second base to put herself in scoring position. Ju. Leatherwood blasted a single through the left side allowing Gogel to hustle around the bases and score leveling the game at two. The Defenders answered right back, scoring twice in the top of the third inning to take a 4-2 advantage.
NDMU took control of the game in the third inning. Newbold led off the inning by blasting a single into left field. Charlene Torres smashed a double into right center field, allowing Newbold to score. Lilyian Hafner nearly smashed a ball out of the park, as it hit off the top of the fence for a double that plated Torres to tie the game at four. Kayla Bright put the Gators on top, reaching on a fielding error that allowed Hafner to score.
Leading by one, it was the Gators defense that powered the team through the last few innings. In the top of the fifth inning with a runner on third, L. Hafner fielded a ground ball, looked back the runner and fired it over to first for an out. The runner at third then broke for home and first basemen Je. Leatherwood fired it home to Torres and she tagged the runner out at the plate. With two outs in the sixth inning, short stop Anabelle Hafner made an unbelievable diving catch, robbing the Defenders of a hit. The Gators held the one run advantage entering the top of the seventh inning looking to hold on for the victory. The Defenders put a runner on second with two outs, when they hit a single into right field. Makayla Lopez quickly fielded the ball and fired it home where Torres made the tag at the plate to secure the first-ever playoff victory.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will continue play in the United East Skye Division Championship Tournament taking on top seeded Wilson College with a berth in the Divisional Championship game on the line. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:00 AM.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.
