Softball

Kings Point Sweeps Rams in Non-Conference Doubleheader

Game One

Merchant Marine - 4, Farmingdale State - 2

Game Two

Merchant Marine - 7, Farmingdale State - 5

Kings Point, N.Y. - After traveling to Florida for Spring Break and racking up an 11-3 record to start the season, the Farmingdale State softball team dropped two close games as Merchant Marine rallied in both games to sweep in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon in Kings Point, N.Y. The Mariners took game one, 4-2, and game two, 7-5, to improve to 4-9 overall, while the Rams fall to 11-5 on the year.

In the first game, Farmingdale went ahead 2-0 in the second inning. Junior outfielder Kristina Cirillo (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) ripped an inning-opening double down the left field line and then was brought home by a two-run homerun by senior infielder Amanda Sperling (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa). The Rams and freshman pitcher Heather Buckshaw (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) held Merchant Marine hitless and scoreless until the sixth inning, but they rallied to score four runs on five hits, taking the 4-2 lead and eventual win.

In game two, Farmingdale held a 5-2 lead after three innings. In the first, freshman infielder Nicole Farber (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) scored freshman catcher Arielle Morelli (Bohemia, N.Y./Connetquot) with a two-run homer over the centerfield fence. In the third, Cirillo reached on a single to third base, Sperling doubled down the left field line and senior Erin Dodge (Plainedge, N.Y./Island Trees) brought in Cirillo with an RBI double. Sperling scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman outfielder Jessica Dautner (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) and Dodge scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch.

Merchant Marine was able to rally back with one run in the fourth, two in the fifth and one more in the sixth for a 7-5 edge. In the top of the seventh, the Rams had runners at second and third with two outs, a Dodge bomb was hit to the left field fence but was caught by the Merchant Marine left fielder to end the game.

For the day, Sperling led with five hits and two RBI's, while Farber had three hits with two RBI's. Buckshaw went 6 innings and struck out 7 in the first game, and sophomore pitcher Lauren Poplawski (Levittown, N.Y./Island Trees) went 6 innings with five strikeouts.

The Rams will travel to face conference opponent Russell Sage in Troy, N.Y. on Saturday, March 29th in a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, March 30th, they will host conference opponent Mount Saint Vincent in a doubleheader at Noon.

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