Manhattan-Fairleigh Dickinson Box Score
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - After having its two contests on Sunday rained out, the Manhattan College softball team's Monday off day at the Rebel Spring Games turned into a game day. The Jaspers dropped a 6-1 decision to Fairleigh Dickinson (8-1) in their first game of the day, then Kate Bowen (Newtown, Conn.) and Kelsi Redding (Tucson, Ariz.) combined on a three-hit shutout as Manhattan (1-5) notched its first victory of the season, 1-0 over Lafayette at the Osceola County Sports Complex.
The Jaspers got on the board early against Fairleigh Dickinson, putting a run across in the top of the first. Bowen drew a one-out walk before stealing second. Amanda Babcock (Haverstraw, N.Y.) was up next, and she delivered an RBI single that gave Manhattan a 1-0 edge. The lead would be short-lived, however, as the Knights scored twice in the bottom half of the inning.
FDU added an unearned tally in the bottom of the second, then took advantage of another Manhattan error in the third. The big blow in the inning was a three-run homer by Kirsten Shreve that gave the Knights a 6-1 lead. Kelly Murray (Leominster, Mass.) ripped a leadoff single in the top of the fourth, but she would end up being Manhattan's last base runner in the game, as the last 12 Jaspers were retired in order.
Babcock had Manhattan's other two hits. She went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Amy Bright (Manlius, N.Y.) (0-3) got the start in the circle and took the loss. She allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits and walked run in three innings. Redding pitched three innings of scoreless relief against FDU, surrendering two hits while striking out two.
Elizabeth Woidt went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored for the Knights. Shreve had two hits, including her three-run homer, as Fairleigh Dickinson recorded nine hits as a unit. Megan Reiner (3-0) earned the win after giving up one run on three hits with six strikeouts and a walk in four innings of work. Caitlin Bradac struck out three in three perfect innings of relief to notch the save.
Against Lafayette, the Jaspers loaded the bases in the bottom of the second. Mickayla Romero (Las Vegas, Nev.) got the inning started with a single up the middle, then Amanda Paxson (Cedar Grove, N.J.) reached on an error. After the runners moved to second and third on Jen Keller's (Woodridge, N.J.) sacrifice bunt, Bright was hit by a pitch. Bowen followed with a rocket up the middle, but Lafayette pitcher Melissa Robinson snagged it and got the force at home. Robinson then got out of the inning when Jocelin Whitmore (La Habra, Calif.) grounded to second.
In the bottom of the fourth, a Lafayette error led to the only run of the game. Keller's two-out grounder to short was misplayed, giving Bright the chance to extend the inning, and she responded with a single. Bowen then ripped a single to left that knocked in Keller and gave Manhattan a 1-0 lead.
With runners on first and third and two down in the top of the fifth, the Leopards made an aggressive move trying to tie the game. Kristen Berger, the runner on first, broke for second, on a delayed double steal. However, the throw to second beat her, and Berger was tagged out to end the inning before Alex Campanaro could score the tying run.
The Jaspers had a chance to add an insurance tally in the bottom of the sixth, putting runners on first and third with one out, but Robinson again got out of the jam to keep it 1-0. However, Redding got the Leopards 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to seal the victory and pick up her first save in a Manhattan uniform.
Bowen (1-0) made her first start of the season in the circle and tossed a brilliant five innings. She surrendered just two hits, struck out three and walked two. In addition, Bowen moved into the leadoff spot for the first time this season and responded by going 2-for-3 at the plate. The Jaspers collected seven hits as a team. Redding pitched the final two innings, giving up one hit and striking out three while not walking a batter.
Jordan Parsons went 2-for-3 at the plate for Lafayette. Leadoff hitter Gwen Turner notched the Leopards' only other hit in the game. Robinson (0-3) suffered a tough-luck loss in the circle. She went the distance, yielding one unearned run and seven hits while striking out three and not allowing a walk.
Manhattan will play four games in less than 24 hours, as the Jaspers are back in action with a 9 a.m. matchup against Green Bay (1-8) on Tuesday. The Jaspers then take on Nebraska-Omaha (4-8) at 11 a.m.
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