It was a fine day for the Lions, who beat No. 2-ranked Salisbury University in doubleheader action on Sunday. The Lions came in and swept the series, winning six of their last seven games.
It was freshman Carlyn Perrotty who continued to shine this weekend, as she contributed a solo home run in the fourth inning. Perrotty helped the Lions to a 2-1 win, going 2-for-3 at the plate.
"The first few games I struggled due to the difference in high school and college ball, but I worked a lot on my hitting and I am feeling very confident," Perrotty said.
"She is a really gifted ball player," head coach Sally Miller said. "Last fall we saw a good glimpse of her potential and she has adjusted very well."
The Lions scored their first run as senior Kelly Quigley advanced home on a Sea Gull error.
The winning pitcher for the Lions was junior Julianne Lajiness, who allowed just five hits and now improves to 3-1, while junior Jess Kohut closed the game for the save. Sophomore Jonna Mahalchik assisted the Lions with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
"We are really starting to see the pitchers come together and work hard and stay strong," Miller said.
In game two, junior Vicki Blevins had a stellar performance with two hits and two RBI. Blevins was .500 on the afternoon, raising her at season total to 11-for-20. During the sixth inning, junior Jen Hughes was struck by a pitch and then ran home on Blevins' double.
The game was in the Lions' hands as sophomore Christina Lizzi had a hit that scored junior Tara Harrigan. Junior Heather Hoffman improved to 4-1 and Kohut got another save. Hoffman also extended her streak of scoreless innings to 23 1/3.
"When we play our game with all the heart we have, there isn't a team that can beat us," Perrotty said.
On Saturday afternoon, the Lions were not as successful. Maybe it was the return of cold weather that caused the Lions to lose their first of two games against the Yellow Jackets of the University of Rochester.
In the first game, the Lions scored in the bottom of the second when Perrotty slammed a triple into dead center, and then Blevins followed up with a single.
"When I came to the College, I knew it was a very prestigious club from day one; everyone has so much desire," Perrotty said.
Perrotty now has a double and two triples in the stats column and has also contributed four RBI in her first year as a Lion. Perrotty has shown a tremendous effort thus far. "When Carlyn steps up to the plate, it's good to have that assurance that something good will happen," senior tri-captain Laura Prevete said.
The Yellow Jackets came back swarming in the top of the third with back-to-back doubles from junior Samantha Carr and freshman Beth Ameno. The score remained 2-1 until the Yellow Jackets sealed the win with a single from junior Nicole DiBello. DiBello added another tally mark as the winning pitcher, while Kohut was the losing pitcher for the Lions, yielding four hits through seven innings.
The Lions roared to a 1-0 win in the second game as Hoffman pitched her third straight scoreless game.
In the third inning, Blevins knocked out a base hit, which allowed junior Erin Cusmano to score. Blevins was 1-for-2 at the plate and is 8-for-14 on the season.
On the mound for the Yellow Jackets was senior Jen Moshier, who picked up her first loss, despite allowing just five hits in 4 1/3 innings. She now stands at 3-1 on the year.
The Lions play Muhlenberg College today.
