Freshmen Pace Colgate Softball to Split of Army

Emmie Dolfi hit her first two collegiate homers in a split of Army.

Game 1 Game 2 Photos

HAMILTON, N.Y. – Emmie Dolfi (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) belted her first collegiate homer and pitcher Courtney O'Connell (Palm Harbor, Fla.) went the distance on a seven-hitter as Colgate downed visiting Army 4-2 in the first game of a Patriot League doubleheader at Eaton Street Field, Saturday. The Black Knights posted a convincing 9-1 victory in the second game.

Colgate, now 22-18 overall and 5-9 in league play, took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Stephanie Hartquist (Homer, N.Y.) and Jennifer Ortega (Aberdeen, N.J.) ripped back-to-back doubles to get the Raiders the lead for good. Colgate extended its lead in the fifth with two more scores. Dolfi led off the frame with a homer to left center. Hartquist later provided the second run with a run scoring fielder's choice that brought O'Connell home from third.

After Army got on the board in the top of the sixth on a homer by Tiffany Held, the Raiders answered the score in the bottom of the sixth on a fielder's choice RBI by Melissa Babb-Renta (Fairview, Ill.). After O'Connell got the first two outs, the Black Knights pulled within two runs on a solo homer by Rachael Duval. However, the freshman hurler induced a groundout back to the mound to end the game.

O'Connell, who improved to 6-5 overall, fanned a season-high seven batters in the victory. Black Knight starter Beverly Nordin suffered the loss and fell to 6-6.

Army, now 26-16 overall and 11-3 in league play, jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first three innings and coasted the rest of the way to gain the split.

Alexis AuBuchon's single to right field scored Duval from third with the go ahead run. With the bases loaded in the second, Jennae Tomlinson cleared the bases with a three-run double to left.
Down five runs, Colgate got its lone score of the game in the fourth as Dolfi homered to left field for her second of the day. However, Army plated four runs in the sixth inning to get the eight run margin. After the Raiders couldn't score in the bottom of the sixth, the game was called on the run rule.

Jessi Muckelroy went the distance on a four hitter to up her record to 10-6. Michelle Hollebeke (N. Reading, Mass.) suffered the loss and fell to 10-8.

The two teams will conclude the four-game series, Sunday afternoon – weather permitting. The first game is set to start at noon.

Print Friendly Version