(Riverdale, NY) – When it was all broken down, the Mount Saint Vincent Softball team was swept by Farmingdale State on Wednesday, 14-0 and 12-9 to drop to 2-18 for the 2006 season, including an 0-8 mark in Skyline Conference play. However, looking beyond the stat-sheets and scorebooks, the Dolphins did enough good things during a cold, brisk day to give the team hope that winning ways are right around the corner. After Farmingdale stormed by the Mount during the first game, and took an 8-0 lead after two innings during the night-cap, the Dolphins banded together and rallied to tie the score and force extra innings during an incredible comeback. While the effort fell short, with several key games coming up, Mount Saint Vincent seems to be playing its best softball at the right time.
The game two comeback began during the third inning thanks to an RBI single by freshman Jessica Riddle (Billerica, MA/Billerica HS). A run in the bottom of the fifth inning allowed the Mount to chip away even further, and then the Dolphins exploded for six runs during the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the score. Three key hits allowed the comeback to be completed as sophomore Mary Kate Walker (Goshen, NY/John S. Burke HS) drove in a run with a single, while both Riddle and fellow freshman Jillian Troncoso (W. Haverstraw, NY/W. Haverstraw HS) drove in two runs apiece with doubles. Troncoso finished the game with four RBI's while Riddle drove in three runs.
The rally put Farmingdale on its heels, but not out. The Rams took the lead in the top of the eighth inning, but clutch hitting allowed the Mount to tie the score in the bottom of the frame when Troncoso singled home Jessica Piccoli (Yonkers, NY/Saunders HS). However, the Mount was unable to bring home the winning run and gave Farmingdale new life, and the Rams took full advantage, scoring three times during the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach.
Mount Saint Vincent pounded out a season-high 11 hits during the loss and their nine runs scored were the second most they scored during a game this season. They were foiled, however, by their usually trusty defense as the Mount committed six errors that led to eight unearned runs, spoiling an outstanding pitching effort by senior Krista Roberts (Wilmington, MA/Wilmington HS). Roberts allowed only four earned runs and 10 hits during nine innings of work, and despite walking seven Ram batters had an overall solid game.
The opener was all Farmingdale as the Rams scored 10 times during the second inning and never looked back. Mount Saint Vincent managed only two hits and did not have a runner pass first base.
Mount Saint Vincent returns to action on Friday, April 7 when they travel to Marymount College for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.
