LEESBURG, Fla. -- The Washington & Jefferson College softball team wrapped up play at the 2020 PFX Spring Games with a pair of contests on Thursday afternoon. W&J dropped a tight 5-3 decision to the Catholic University of America before falling to Becker College by an identical 5-3 score.
Game One – Catholic University of America 5, W&J 3
The Presidents fell short in the opener against the Cardinals. W&J suffered the loss despite out-hitting CUA in the game.
After two scoreless innings, the Presidents cracked the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning.
Peyton Eckenrode (York Haven, Pa./Northeastern) singled and came around to score on an RBI single by
Brooke McCleester (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley).
After McCleester advanced to second base on a wild pitch,
Brooke Lapia (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) doubled to deep right center to score McCleester.
CUA responded with five runs on five hits in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-2 lead.
W&J got one back in the top of the fourth inning. A one-out single by
Lexie Creyer (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood) started the rally. A single by Eckenrode loaded the bases. Pinch runner
Kate Barone (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 5-3.
The Presidents had opportunities in both the sixth and seventh innings. W&J put runners at first and second in the sixth before a tough luck line out resulted in an inning-ending double play.
A double by McCleester and a single by
Laura Ryder (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) helped W&J put the tying run on base in the seventh. However, CUA induced a ground ball to end the threat and the game.
Eckenrode reached base all four times, as the freshman recorded a pair of hits and drew a pair of walks. Eckenrode led all W&J starters with a .406 batting average after game one.
Kristen Fuertes (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) suffered the loss in the circle. The senior allowed five runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings. Fuertes struck out a pair and walked none.
Game Two – Becker 5, W&J 3
Just like the opener, the Presidents jumped out to an early lead against Becker. Eckenrode ignited the fast start with a leadoff double in the bottom of the first. The freshman then scored on a fielding error by Becker to give the Presidents a 1-0 advantage.
Becker evened the score with a run in the second before taking a 3-1 lead following a pair of scores in the third inning. Holly Letour of Becker slugged her second home run of the game, as her solo shot extended the lead to 4-1 in the fifth inning.
Eckenrode came through again in the fifth inning. The freshman belted her first collegiate home run over the left field fence. The two-run homer cut the Presidents' deficit to a single run at 4-3.
Later in the inning, McCleester doubled to put the potential tying run into scoring position. However, a drive by Lapia came up just short of flying over the fence. The ball was caught a foot shy of the fence to preserve the lead for Becker.
W&J was unable to even the score in the late innings. Becker tallied an insurance run in the sixth inning to close the scoring at 5-3.
Alisha Kulka (Hanover, Pa./South Western) took the loss in the circle. The sophomore allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in 5.2 innings of work. Fuertes tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to keep the Presidents within striking distance.
