Oneonta, N.Y. – The SUNY Oneonta softball team got a solid pitching performance from freshman Katie O'Flynn in game 2 of a doubleheader split with Ithaca College today. O'Flynn allowed five hits in the complete game shutout of the Bombers to earn her third win of the season as the Red Dragons won 7-0.
It was a heavily contested battle as the score remained deadlocked at zeros going into the sixth inning. The two teams had runners in scoring positions, but could not find that one last hit to put the first run across the plate. Both teams left seven runners on base in the second game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Oneonta (9-17) struck, thanks in part to three errors by the Ithaca defense. The first two batters, Kalyn Deso and Brianna Rivera, got aboard due to a fielding and throwing error. After Ithaca changed pitchers, the bats came alive. Chandler Campbell got it started with a single down the left field line to put Oneonta's first run on the board. Laura Loudis followed suit with an infield hit that scored Rivera. Freshman Shannon McQueeney laid down a bunt single that advanced the runners to fill the base paths. O'Flynn then stepped to the plate and helped her own cause as she doubled down the right field line, putting two more runs on the board. For the second time in the inning, Deso reached on a fielding error that cleared the bases and found her at third.
With the score at 7-0, O'Flynn was able to record the final three outs for the win. She got the furst batter to pop up to McQueeney in right field. The next two got on board with a double and walk. O'Flynn didn't falter as she struck out the next batter and got the final out to pop up to Rachel Hitt in center field.
Freshman Laura Campbell had three hits in game 2, including a bunt single. Chandler Campbell gave the Red Dragons a pair of hits and O'Flynn had two run batted in.
In game 1, Ithaca (16-11) struck in the third, fifth and sixth innings. Adrienne Walters singled and then stole second to start the third inning. Rachel Dell 'Orto walked and was followed by a Francesca Busa single through the left side that scored the Bombers first run of the game. Jen Biondi singled up the middle to get the second run across and Julianne Vincent tripled to left center to bring the final two across. Ithaca led 4-0 after the top half of the inning.
Oneonta fought back with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Loudis singled through the left side and Brieva followed suit with a single down the right field line. L. Campbell stepped to the plate and hit a shot for a single through the right side that scored Loudis. The fourth single of the inning by Tricia Kendziera, produced the second and third runs of the inning when the center fielder bobbled the ball.
The Bombers added two more runs to their total in the fifth on four singles by Busa, Molly O'Donnell, Sydney Folk and Lindsey Johnson. They now led 6-3.
Once again the Red Dragons battled back as they plated one in the fifth. L. Campbell hit the ball on the ground and beat the throw to first by the shortstop. After stealing second, Campbell advanced to third on a Kendziera ground out and scored on Nicole Marzillo's double to left center.
Ithaca shut the door on Oneonta when they added a single run in the sixth to increase their lead to 7-4. Dell 'Orto double to right center field and moved to third on a ground out by Busa. O'Donnell stepped up and hit a shot to the shortstop, that scored Dell 'Orto for their final run.
The Bombers got five solid innings out of their starting pitcher, Sam Bender, who allowed seven hits and struck out two before making way for their saves leader, Jillian Olmstead. Olmstead was lights out as she pitched two innings and struck out four of the six batters she faced.
The Red Dragons got a pair of hits from Loudis and L. Campbell. Campbell also added a pair of steals in game 1.
Oneonta will be in action again this Friday when they travel to SUNYAC foe, Brockport, for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
