THE BASICS 

Score: 
Lesley University, 5 vs. Hunter College, 6
Lesley University, 3 vs. Hunter College, 4

Records: 
Lesley Lynx (3-16, 0-4 NAC)
Hunter Hawks (6-8, 2-0 CUNYAC)

Location: Revere, Mass. – Ardagna Field @ Griswold Park

Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024

THE LEAD – Hunter College used a pair of seventh inning surges to take down Lesley University on Sunday morning in NCAA Division III softball action at Ardagna Field at Griswold Park. In the opener, the Hawks broke a 5-5 tie with the game-winner in the seventh before erasing a 3-1 deficit in game two to come from behind for a 4-3 win thanks to a three-run seventh to complete the sweep.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1)

• The Hawks opened the action with a pair of unearned runs in the first to take a 2-0 lead but Lesley responded with a run in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single up the middle by Samantha Mecklenburg to cut the score it half at 2-1.
• Hunter got it back in the second pushing a run across on a wild pitch to bump the lead to 3-1 and then made it 5-1 on a two-RBI triple to right by Jessica Fowler in the third.
• The Lynx clawed back, getting closer in the third on a Mecklenburg sac-fly to make it 5-2 before momentum shifted in the fifth on a three-run bomb to left by Emma Hodgkins to even the score at 5-5.
• LU had a chance to take the lead later in the fifth, loading the bases with one out but stranded them loaded with the score deadlocked at 5-all.
• In the seventh, Adriana Ramirez connected on a two-out RBI single to right, driving in the game-winner.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1)

• The homer was the first of Hodgkins collegiate career while her three RBI in a game is also a season & career best.
• Brielle Staskavage earned the win in relief to improve to 3-0, working 3.0 innings and scattering two hits while pick up a pair of K's.
• Mecklenburg fell for Lesley working the final two innings, suffering some control issues with six walks.
• Olivia Palumbo and Adriana Ramirez each collected two hits for HC in the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2)

• Mecklenburg found her pitching groove in Game 2, giving six stellar innings before the Hawks rally in the seventh. The senior was almost unhittable through six, scattering just three hits to keep the Lynx out in front for most of the action.
• Lesley took a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI double to center by Leah St. John.
• The score stayed at 1-0 until the sixth when Isabella Moscoso  singled to left to drive home Mellanie Barth to double the lead up to 2-0.
• Hunter finally got to Mecklenburg in the sixth on an RBI groundout by Grace Basil to slice the deficit in half at 2-1 but the Lynx answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth on a St. John sac fly to give them a little more breathing room at 3-1.
• In the seventh, Hawks reserve Elizabeth Thompson belted a go-ahead three-run homer to chase Mecklenburg from the game and provide enough for the visitors to hang on for the 4-3 comeback win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2)

• LU outhit the Hawks, 7-5 in the setback getting two hits from Moscoso.
• The HR for Thompson was the first of her collegiate career.
• Emma Hodgkins closed out the seventh in relief, getting the final two outs to keep it a one-run game.
• MJ Jones finished the game with a hit and two stolen bases to pace the Lynx.

UP NEXT

• Lesley remains on the non-conference grind on Tuesday, April 16 when they travel to Milton, Mass. to face Curry for two starting at 3:00 PM.
• The Hawks return to CUNYAC action on Tuesday heading to Lehman College for a 4:00 & 6:00 PM conference slate.