THE BASICS 

Score: 
Lesley University, 3 vs. Widener University, 8
Lesley University, 2 vs. Univ. of Saint Joseph (CT), 7
Lesley University, 3 vs. Eureka College, 9

Records: 
Lesley Lynx (0-1, 0-0 NAC)
Widener Pride (3-2, 0-0 MAC)
USJ Blue Jays (3-4, 0-0 GNAC)
Eureka Red Devils (5-3, 0-0 SLIAC)

Location: Naples, Fla. – No. Collier Field #5

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

THE LEAD – The Lesley University softball team open its 2024 campaign with a triple-header in NCAA Division III softball action in Naples, Fla. falling to Widener University in the opener, 8-3, before dropping decisions to University of Saint Joseph (CT), 7-3 followed by a 9-3 setback to Eureka in the finale.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1 vs. Widener)

• The Pride jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first as centerfielder Jalia Lawren opened the action with a leadoff walk and scored on an RBI single up the middle by third baseman Paris Balilonis.
• Lesley answered with a pair in the bottom half of the inning to pull ahead 2-1 with a two-out flurry. Sophomore centerfielder Madison Herbert singled up the middle and moved into scoring position on an infielder single by first year shortstop MJ Jones. Jones swiped second to put runners at second and third and both scored on a Widener miscue to account for the 2-1 lead change.
• Widener regained the advantage for good with some two-out damage in the third as catcher Alyssa Gomez drove in the tying run with an RBI single and came all the way around to score on a Lesley throwing error to pull WU on top, 3-2.
• The Pride added three insurance runs in the sixth and starting pitcher Amanda Danz made the lead hold up, retiring 11 straight until Isabella Moscoso broke it up with a single and came around to score on a base knock down the right field line by Samantha Mecklenburg to make it 6-3 through six.
• Widener added a pair in the seventh to account for the 8-3 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1 vs. Widener)

• Danz went the distance to improve to 2-1 on the year, striking out a season-high 12 batters.
• LU junior hurler Emma Hodgkins pitched well in defeat, striking out five over 5 1/3 innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2 vs. USJ)

• Following a scoreless first, USJ got some early run-support in the second with two runs on two hits including an RBI single by third baseman Emma Carpenter. The Blue Jays threatened to break it open but Mecklenburg worked out of a bases loaded jam to limit the damage at 2-0.
• An RBI single up the middle by Analise Escarraman in the third bumped the USJ cushion to 3-0 which was plenty to work with for Kaitlyn Ouellette in the circle as the pitcher did not surrender a hit until Moscoso reached on an infield single in the fourth.
• Lesley found the scoreboard in the fifth with a one-out double down the left field line by first year catcher Kari Sorensen followed by a single to right by junior pinch hitter Holly Swinamer and walk from Hodgkins to load the bases. Moscoso blooped an RBI single down the right field line to get the Lynx on the board at 3-1 before USJ returned the favor, stranding the bases loaded to preserve a two-run lead heading into the late frames.
• Saint Joseph got the run back in the bottom of the fifth as Escarraman tripled and the fourth run came in on a wild pitch to move the needle to 4-1, USJ.
• Lesley kept within striking distance as Herbert worked a leadoff walk and worked around the bases to cut the lead in half at 4-2 but in the bottom half of the sixth, three unearned Blue Jay runs put the game out of reach, accounting for the 7-2 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2 vs. USJ)

• Ouellette tossed 5+ innings allowing just the one run on four hits while striking out seven to earn her first win of the year and improve to 1-1 overall. Paige Fekete came on in relief to close the game and earn the save.
• Moscoso was the only player on either squad to finish the game with two hits, going 2-for-2 with a walk and RBI for LU.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 3 vs. Eureka)

• The Red Devils got on the board first, pushing two unearned runs across in the first to take the early 2-0 advantage before bumping the lead to 3-0 with another unearned run in the second.
• Lesley got them all back in the third, evening the score at 3-3 with a two-out rally. Hodgkins worked a two-out walk before Moscoto stayed hot with a single. Leah St. John connected on a two-RBI double to put the Lynx on the board at 3-2 before scoring the tying run thanks to a Red Devil miscue.
• The Lynx defensive unit kept the score deadlocked at three in the middle frames, turning double plays in the third and fourth to get out of jams and preserve the tie.
• Eureka finally cracked through with a six run sixth to jump in front, 9-3 with the key blow coming on a two-RBI double to left center by second baseman Bri Tanksley.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 3 vs. Eureka)

• Claire Wuethrich earned the win in relief, working four scoreless innings and striking out seven to improve to 2-0 on the year.
• Herbert suffered the loss, striking out five over 5 1/3 innings to fall to 0-1.
• St. John paced the Lynx with a 2-for-3 performance with two RBI and a run scored.

UP NEXT

• Lesley is back on the diamond tomorrow (March 14) as the Lynx take on Western CT State at 9:00 AM followed by Westfield State at 11:00 AM.