March 13, 2015

Clermont, Fla. – The SUNY Oneonta softball continued competition at the National Training Center Friday afternoon against University of Wisconsion – Stevens Point and St. Thomas (Minn.)

The Red Dragons pounded out a dozen hits in a 7-2 victory in the day's first game against UW-Stevens Point. Jenn Brocco made her debut in the circle; the sophomore was perfect through three innings. She finished the game tossing six innings, giving up three hits with one, a pair of strikeouts and a walk facing 23 batters.

Oneonta's offense came alive in a three run third inning. Junior Kristyn Neroda (Pearl River/Pearl River) led the inning off with a single to the pitch. After advancing to second on a sac bunt by Jamie Whittam (Saugerties/Saugerties), the outfielder scored on single up the middle from junior designated player Traci Lichtenstein (Plainview/JFK). Sophomore shortstop Marlene Cuevas (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham), who walked in her plate appearance, and Lichtenstein both crossed the dish when senior Brianna Rivera (Pomona/North Rockland) ripped a double to the center field fence.

Oneonta threatened again in the fourth. Neroda reached base on a two out error and advanced to second on the throw in the same play. Whittam followed with a pop single to advance the runner to third. The second baseman stole second to set up a two out, runners on second and third situation for freshman Karly Ziegler (Levittown/Island Trees), but were unable to capitalize.

The offense, however, did tack on three more runs in the fifth. The first four batters each recorded base hits, led off by a Cuevas single to center. Lichtenstein followed with a single of her own before Rivera took a 2-1 pitch to right center for an RBI double. Sophomore Katie O'Gorman (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) took her first pitch up the middle for an RBI before swiping second base. Rookie Ashley Lefebvre (Waterford/Waterford-Halfmoon) brought Rivera home on a two out single to round out the inning's scoring.

The Pointers got on the board in the sixth with an RBI single to left only to be answered by the Red Dragons. With pinch runner senior Nicole Brieva (Kings Park/Kings Park) on first, Rivera smacked another double to center to score the run.

Freshman pitcher Julia Simpson (Sayville/Sayville) made her collegiate debut in the seventh. The rookie gave up a pair of hits and one run in the inning before ending the game.
In Oneonta's second game of the day, the Red Dragons fell 11-3 to #13 St. Thomas (Minn.) on the heels of a 10 –run third inning by the Tommies.

The Red and White take the field for the final time in Florida tomorrow when the take on The College of New Jersey at 11 am and Wesleyan University at 1 pm.