MADISON, NJ (April 20, 2024) – Entering the day on a five-game win streak, Susquehanna softball continued their strong stretch of play with a pair of crucial victories on the road against Drew, keeping themselves right in the mix for the Landmark playoff picture. After an impressive pitcher's duel in game one yielded a 1-0 win for SU, the offense came alive in game two as the River Hawks put together a late comeback to force extra innings and claim a 5-4 win in 8 innings.
Game 1: Susquehanna 1, Drew 0
After holding Drew hitless for three innings, pitcher Brianna Jones helped herself in the top of the 5th with huge double to right field, plating Hailey Kaba to score the only run of the game, after Kaba reached on a double of her own in the previous at-bat. Jones would allow just a single baserunner in the bottom of the 5th and bottom of the 7th but continued to deal and shut down any potential rallies. She finished the day with her 10th win of the season, her 14th complete game, and just three hits given up while striking out four.
Three of SU's four hits were doubles, with Nicole Plesh joining Jones and Kaba with doubles. Jones also picked up a stolen base in the game.
Game 2; Susquehanna 5, Drew 4 (8 Inn.)
Susquehanna would fall behind in the early going, seeing Drew lead off the game with three-straight singles before scoring a run on a sacrifice fly. They doubled their advantage in the bottom of the 2nd, scoring on a wild pitch after a walk and a single got a one-out rally going. After a scoreless third inning, the River Hawks got the bats going in the top of the 4th, tying the game up with a three-hit inning. Lexi Palumbo ripped a one-out double before advancing to third on a flyout. She would then score on an RBI single by Nicole Wuertz, who then in turn came home to score on a double to left center by Hannah Roland.
The tie did not last long, as Drew restored their two-run lead, getting the benefit of three fielding errors by the River Hawks. Trailing again with time running out, Susquehanna got to work getting back into the game in the top of the 6th, as Wuertz hit a one-out double before scoring on an RBI single to right field by Stevie Shaak. In the circle, Amanda Amerman allowed a lead-off hit in the bottom of the 6th but then struck out the next three batters to keep SU within one. The top of the 7th began with a pinch-hit single for Madison Apostolakos. The next two hitters would yield outs for Drew, but the River Hawks once again made some two-out magic. Palumbo hit her second double of the game, picking up the crucial RBI and tying the game. A fielding error and stolen base by Zoe Bork gave the River Hawks runners on second and third, but they were unable to take the lead.
Amerman sat the Rangers down in order in the bottom of the 7th to force extra innings and SU made no mistake. Once more getting to two outs, the River Hawks rallied with three-straight singles, with Shaak and Kaba hitting the first two before Shaak came home to score as Jones was once again the game-winner, singling to right field to get another massive RBI, giving Susquehanna their first lead of the day at 5-4. Amerman once again gave up a lead-off hit in the bottom frame but struck out the next two hitters and got a foul out on the last hitter to end the game and clinch the win.
Now back to .500 overall at 15-15 and 6-6 in Landmark play, the River Hawks will once again play a mid-week non-conference doubleheader, visiting York College of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 24 for games at 3 and 5 pm.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
