(Old Westbury, NY) – Freshman
Jessica Riddle (Billerica, MA/Billerica HS) continued her recent string of brilliance on the mound, pitching seven strong innings to improve to 7-11 overall and 6-2 during her last eight starts as the Mount Saint Vincent Softball team opened a Saturday doubleheader with a 6-2 win over Skyline Conference rival Old Westbury. After a 3-2 loss in the night-cap, the Mount is now 14-23 overall and ends the 2006 season 4-12 in Skyline Conference play, but the Dolphins have won 12 of their last 17 games overall.
The opener was all Riddle as the rookie allowed only two earned runs on five hits, and was so impressive that the two runs she allowed in second inning were scored without benefit of a hit. She walked six batters, but also struck out six, and kept the Panthers on their heels throughout the game. Riddle also received support at the plate as the Mount compiled seven hits by seven different players, including Jacqui Dauphinais (S. Yarmouth, MA/Dennis-Yarmouth Regional HS) and Jessica Piccoli (Yonkers, NY/Saunders HS), who each singled in runs during a four-run third inning in which the Mount went ahead for good. The Dolphins were also the beneficiaries of five Old Westbury errors that led to five unearned runs for the Mount. Freshman Dana McGuire (East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville HS) also had a big day for the Dolphins with a single and two runs scored.
The elation of a thrilling opening game win was dampened a bit by a 3-2 loss in the night-cap, a loss that spoiled a tremendous effort by senior pitcher Krista Roberts (Wilmington, MA/Wilmington HS). The southpaw was outstanding, pitching a complete game while allowing only three earned runs and striking out two. Mount Saint Vincent fell behind 2-0 in the fourth inning, a deficit they cut in half during the top of the sixth inning when a Piccoli double scored Gina Angolillo (W. Harrison, NY/Harrison HS). After an Old Westbury run in the bottom of the inning put the Panthers up by two once again, the Mount chipped into the lead in the top of the seventh inning when a Jackie Rizzotto (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac HS) sacrifice fly scored Amanda Prendergast (Fair Lawn, NJ/Paramus Catholic). However, the Mount's attempt for a dramatic comeback ended when Angolillo flew out to end the game later in the inning.
Mount Saint Vincent managed only five hits during the night-cap with Piccoli and Angolillo registering two apiece.
With the regular season behind them, Mount Saint Vincent now looks ahead to the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference playoffs this week. The Dolphins will host a Quarterfinal game on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. against an opponent yet to be determined.
