BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (May 7, 2008) – Senior third baseman Jessica Valenti (Cliffside Park, N.J.) batted 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in all of Bryant University’s runs as the Bulldogs defeated Adelphi University, 4-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship at C.W. Post.
Bryant improves its record to 30-14 overall and will face the winner of Wednesday’s game between New York Institute of Technology and LeMoyne College while Adelphi (40-20) will face the losing team.
The Bulldogs put two runs up in the top of the third inning when senior third baseman Jessica Valenti (Cliffside Park, N.J.) doubled to centerfield to score senior second baseman Jennifer Serrano (Stoneham, Mass.) and sophomore shortstop Allison Chouinard (Swansea, Mass.).
The Panthers threatened in the bottom of the inning with a runner on third base but could not score the run as Enos got sophomore right fielder Katie Brophy (Beaverton, Ore.) to fly out to centerfield.
Bryant added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning when Valenti homered to centerfield to score two runs.
Chouinard recorded two hits and scored two of the Bulldogs’ runs.
Senior Jamine Enos (Wareham, Mass.) pitched her ninth complete shutout of the season, allowing five hits with two strikeouts and a walk issued.
O’Hara led the Panthers with two hits. Senior Julie Schaper (Warwick, N.Y.) pitched 6.2 innings for Adelphi and allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking three batters.