SB: Lasers Florida Trip Recap
Kissimmee, FL - The Lasell University softball team started its season in Florida on spring break last week with 10 games in 6 days. They faced off against 10 different opponents and earned their first win of the season against Penn St. New Kensington in a 5-4 final.
The Lasers faced some tough competition throughout the week and lost some close battles but they got in the win column against the Nittany Lions of Penn St. New Kensington. To open up the game the Lasers manufactured a run in the top of the 1st off a Katie Hopkins RBI double which drove in Emily Mestas. They would leave one on base and play good defense in the bottom of the inning to hold the Lions scoreless. The next at-bats for the Lasers saw them string together three consecutive hits which pushed across a second run as Rylee Herr knocked in Madalen Brown, putting them up 2-0. After stranding two more runners to end the top half of the inning, the Nittany Lions got their first run which made it a 2-1 ball game going into the 3rd. Each team would go scoreless in this inning and put the middle of the Lasers lineup ready to hit to start the 4th. The Lasers got two baserunners early and used their legs on the bases to get into scoring position. This then allowed both Madalen Brown and Emma Tartleton to score and opened up some breathing room for the Lasers 4-1. In the bottom of the fifth, the Lions put the pressure back on the Lasers however as consecutive doubles resulted in two runs, cutting the lead to 4-3. Adreanna Ventullo's pinch-hit at bat in the top of the 6th forced an error allowing Alyssa Bland to score and the Lions matched with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Not adding any insurance runs in the top of the 7th, the Lasers needed one final defensive hold to take home the win. Shyanne Raccio who came in relief for Abigail Fortin, forced two flyouts on the first batters faced and wasted no time in striking out the third, giving the Lasers the 5-4 win.
Abigail Fortin earned her first win of the year after going through the first five innings and giving up 3 earned and striking out 3. Madalen Brown went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Emily Mestas also went 2-for-4 adding an RBI and a run scored.
Various other Lasers also posted impressive numbers throughout the week. Shyanne Raccio over the ten-game span earned a .333 batting average with 4 RBIs and 10 hits. Meghan Theall posted 7 hits and earned a .412 average while also adding 3 RBIs. Junior Emma Tarleton made the most of her opportunities as well batting .500 and racking up 5 stolen bases. For the Lasers pitching staff, Abigail Fortin tallied 14 K's in her 6 appearances and Shyanne Raccio was close behind with 13 K's in 7 outings.
Up Next - The Lasers will have some time off before being back in action again which will be against Emerson College on Thursday, March 27th.