KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Manchester University (Ind.) struck early and added a pair of insurance runs late to defeat the Bates College softball team, 5–2, Monday morning at the Fortune Road Athletic Complex.
The Bobcats' second scheduled game of the day — a 2:30 p.m. matchup with SUNY Cortland — was canceled due to thunderstorms.
The Spartans jumped in front in the opening inning. After two hit batters and a trio of stolen bases put runners in scoring position, Manchester cashed in with an RBI groundout from C Crystal Cooke and an RBI triple by DP Krryn Miller to take a 2–0 lead.
Manchester added another run in the second on an RBI single from CF Kendal Rider, but the Bobcats responded in the third. DP
Maya Lee reached on an error and C
Isabel Bettencourt followed with a single before LF
Sienna Pietrasiewicz lined a two-run single to left-center, cutting the deficit to 3–2.
That would be as close as Bates would get. Manchester pushed across two runs in the sixth inning on a pair of RBI singles to extend the lead to 5–2 and close out the victory.
The Bobcats and Spartans each collected seven hits in the contest. SS
Ella Maher led Bates with a pair of knocks, while Bettencourt, Pietrasiewicz, CF
Zariya Anderson, 1B
Sophie Garber, and 2B
Maddy Miller each added one apiece.
Brigid Gaffny went the distance in the circle for the Bobcats, allowing five runs (four earned) while striking out three. The aforementioned Miller collected the win for the Spartans, scattering three hits (one walk) in 4.1 innings of shutout relief.
Emilie Goldstein (2.1 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 1 walk, 2 K) started in the circle for the victors.
The Bobcats will continue play in the Sunshine State Tuesday with games against Rutgers–Camden at 9:00 a.m. and Edgewood University (Wis.) at 11:15 a.m.
