The SUNY Oneonta softball team got some timely hitting in their half of the fifth inning to take the first game of the doubleheader series versus Fredonia today by the score of 8-5. Freshman Shannon McQueeney was the games hero as she hit a triple to clear the bases for the Red Dragons.
Fredonia (12-12-1/3-7) scored in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly to left field. Oneonta (8-14/3-5) came right back in the bottom half to take the lead. Senior Kalyn Deso started things off for the Red Dragons when she singled and then stole second. Freshman Nicole Brieva walked to put runners on first and second base. Classmate Laura Campbell came to the plate with two outs and roped a single to left field, scoring Deso and moving Brieva to third, who later scored on an error by the catcher. Sophomore Tricia Kendziera doubled to score Campbell for the teams third run of the inning.
The Blue Devils came back and tied the game up in the top of the fourth when they scored three runs of their own.
Oneonta rallied and scored four runs in the fifth to take the lead for good. Nicole Marzillo, Stephanie Gaska and Deso each hit singles to open the inning. McQueeney stepped up to the plate and laced a shot to deep right center field, clearing the base paths and stopping on third with a triple. McQueeney scored two batters later when Brieva hit a single up the middle.
Fredonia put one more run on the board in the top of the seventh inning, but winning pitcher Gaska shut the door on them by getting a pop out and ground out to end the inning. Gaska earned her first win of the season.
Kendziera, Marzillo and Deso each had two hits for the Red Dragons in game 1 and McQueeney provided three runs batted in.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Fredonia took the lead in the top of the third inning. The Blue Devils got two runs off a Lauren Larson double that scored Anne Wasik and Katie Bartkowiak.
Oneonta tied the game in the fifth inning at 2-2. Freshman Gemma Mahoney laid down a beautiful bunt that rested on third base line. Campbell reached on a throwing error by the catcher after laying down a sacrifice bunt that moved Mahoney to third. Mahoney scored the Red Dragons first run on a passed ball as she slid under the catchers tag. Chandler Campbell singled up the middle of the field, scoring Laura.
Fredonia was not done scoring. In the top of the sixth they were able to plate the game-winning run with three singles hit up the middle of the field. Michelle Lattner started it off, followed by Gabrielle Ciccarello and finished off with Jessica Lauck hitting Lattner in for the innings only run.
The Blue Devils would add three insurance runs in the top of the seventh to secure the victory.
C. Campbell finished the second game going three-for-three with a run batted in.
The Red Dragons will be in action again tomorrow when they host Buffalo State for a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.
