BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (May 7, 2008) – Georgian Court put together a five-run fifth inning but it was not enough as the Lions fell to Caldwell College, 9-6, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Northeast Softball Regional at C.W. Post Wednesday afternoon.
The Cougars improve to 40-14 overall and will face the winner of the late afternoon game between top-seeded C.W. Post and the University of New Haven. Georgian Court slips to 33-21 and will play in the losing bracket on Thursday.
Caldwell scored quickly and frequently and held a 7-0 lead through the first three innings. In the first inning, designated player Annie Forte (Toms River, N.J.) singled through the left side and advanced on the throw while scoring third baseman Nicole Bodrog from second. The second run was scored when junior second baseman Gina Capardi (West Caldwell, N.J.) came home from third on a throwing error by the third baseman.
The Cougars added four additional runs in the second inning. Sophomore shortstop Danielle Genovese (Livingston, N.J.) drove in the first run with an RBI single up the middle. Capardi followed up with a two-run double to left field that scored Genovese and senior third baseman Nicole Bodrog (Mt. Laurel, N.J.). The fourth run was scored on a single to left field from Forte that scored Capardi. Caldwell added another run in the third when added another single up the middle to score freshman rightfielder Patti Garofolo (Collegeville, Pa.) from second.
The Lions found an answer in the fifth inning, putting together five runs on five hits off freshman Brittany Pulido (Ojai, Calif.) that included a two-out grand slam off the bat of senior catcher Heather Walker (Hanover, Ontario). Pulido was able to get out of the jam by forcing junior designated player Mallory Kirchner (South Amboy, N.J.) to pop up to the second baseman.
Georgian Court added another run in the top of the sixth when senior leftfielder Julie Sito (Elyria, Ohio) hit a sacrifice foul to leftfield that scored pinch runner Michelle Ferraiuolo (Staten Island, N.Y.) from third base to cut the lead to 7-6 in favor of the Cougars.
Caldwell cushioned its lead in the bottom of the sixth with two runs scored on a fielding error by the left fielder.
Pulido went the distance for the Cougars, allowing six earned runs on eight hits. Forte finished the game with three hits and two RBI.
Junior Samantha Sasko (Groveville, N.J.) took the loss for the Lions, pitching one and a third inning and allowing six earned runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout.
Walker batted 1 for 4 at the plate with four RBI and a run scored.