Updated Stats
ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth softball team won a pair of one-run games over Alfred University Friday in a pivotal Empire 8 matchup for postseason implications. Nazareth defeated the Saxons 3-2 in game one, before a 1-0 blanking in the second game.
With the win, Nazareth improves to 13-9 overall and 6-4 in Empire 8 play, leapfrogging Alfred who is now 13-13 and 5-5, respectively.
The top four teams in the Empire 8 qualify for postseason play, with the Golden Flyers currently in the fourth position. St. John Fisher (7-1 Empire 8) and Houghton (1-7 Empire 8) remain on the conference schedule for the Golden Flyers.
Nazareth continues its four-game home stand Tuesday, hosting Buffalo State at 3 p.m.
Game 1 – Nazareth 3, Alfred 2
Kristen Simmons led off with a single and
Marissa Tortora drove her in with a double to give Nazareth a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
Alfred evened the score at 1-1 in the fourth. Liz Thompson walked as the first batter. Later in the inning, she stole third base and advanced home on the throw down to third.
Nazareth responded in the bottom half with two runs to re-gain momentum.
Meghan Barry ripped a double down the line to score
Nicole White. Barry later scored on an RBI single from
Annika Guiliano.
Alfred made it interesting, scoring one more run in the sixth, however, White mowed down the final batter of the inning to leave a runner stranded. She allowed just three hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
Barry led the way, going 2-for-3 with one RBI. Simmons was 3-for-3 in the win.
Game 2 – Nazareth 1, Alfred 0
Stephanie Mongelli ripped a double to left center on a full count to score
Sarah Papponetti from first for the lone run of the game in the sixth. Papponetti was able to beat a close play at the plate.
Alfred threatened in the seventh, getting a runner on second with one out. Senior pitcher
Rachel Mertens was able to take care of business, inducing a popup and Simmons made a difficult catch at the warning track for the final out of the game.
Mertens went seven scoreless innings to move to 7-3 on the season. She allowed five hits and struck out two.
Papponetti was 2-for-3 in the victory.
