WASHINGTON, Pa. -- A late rally in game two helped visiting Carlow University sweep the Washington & Jefferson College softball team in non-conference action at Brooks Park Saturday afternoon. The Celtics claimed game one by a 12-1 score before using three seventh inning runs to take the nightcap by a 7-6 score.
Game One Recap - Carlow 12, W&J 1
Carlow opened the scoring with a run-scoring single in the top of the first. Junior first baseman
Laura Ryder (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) would double and score on a wild pitch to help W&J tie the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second.
The visiting Celtics would dominate the remainder of the game, taking the lead for good with two runs in the fourth inning. Carlow would tack on three runs each in the fifth and sixth innings before adding four runs in the seventh.
Defensive miscues helped play a key role in the contest, as W&J committed five errors that allowed Carlow to plate six unearned runs.
Senior pitcher
Taylor Andres (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) started and suffered the loss in the circle. Andres allowed six runs (four earned) in five innings of action. Ryder led the offense with two hits in the game one loss.
Game Two Recap - Carlow 7, W&J 6
Freshman second baseman
Sarah Labbe (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonksee) helped W&J to an early lead in game two, launching a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. Labbe's first collegiate home run gave W&J a 4-2 edge after two innings of play.
After the Celtics pushed across a run in the top of the fourth to cut the deficit to a single run, W&J extended its lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the frame when Labbe sent one to deep center for a sacrifice fly to score junior pitcher
Kristen Fuertes (West Chester, Pa./West Chester).
W&J carried a 6-4 lead into the top of the seventh inning, needing just three outs to seal up the victory. However, the visiting Celtics would plate three unearned runs, the last of which coming on a two-out RBI double to take a 7-6 edge.
In the bottom of the seventh, junior third baseman
Brooke Lapia (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) led off with double to put the tying run into scoring position. After the next batter reached on a fielders choice, W&J had runners on the corners and no outs. However, the Carlow pitcher forced a foulout and a groundout to prevent the tying run from scoring. Labbe then walked with two outs to load the bases but a strikeout ended the game and the hopes of a rally by the home team.
Labbe led the offense with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored.
Brooke McCleester (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley),
Brooklynn Miller (Martins Ferry, Ohio/Buckeye Local),
Rachel Johnson (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) and Lapia recorded two hits each in game two.
Fuertes took the loss in game two, allowing seven runs (three earned) in 7.0 innings of work. W&J drops to 5-9 overall while Carlow moves to 8-8 in 2019.
The Presidents host Franciscan University for a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday, March 24. Start time is set for 2 p.m.
