Softball downs 22nd-ranked Coe on first day of Leadoff Classic

March 9, 2007

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL- The Wheaton College softball team began its 2007 campaign with a two-game split on Friday at the third National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Leadoff Classic, as the Lyons defeated nationally-ranked Coe College of Iowa, 2-0 in the nightcap after falling to Trinity University of Texas, 6-5 in their opener at Frank Brown Park. Coe is 22nd in this week's NFCA national poll and advanced to last year's eight-team NCAA Tournament championship.

The Lyons broke out in front of Trinity with a run in the top of the first before junior Michelle Gossein (Albuquerque, NM) smacked a two-run double in bottom of the inning for the Tigers, but Wheaton knotted the contest with an unearned run the next inning. Freshman Christina Carni (San Antonio, TX) smacked a go-ahead RBI single for Trinity in the fourth, as her team led by a 3-2 count entering the seventh.

Wheaton put together a three-run rally in the final inning, only to see it matched by the Tigers. Junior Meredith Gorton (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and freshman Merry MacDonald (Braintree, MA/Braintree) led off the inning for the Blue and White with consecutive singles, and Gorton scored on an error that followed MacDonald's hit to tie the game. With two down, sophomore Brady Benton (Concord, NH/Concord) laced a 1-2 pitch into right-center to plate a pair of runs, and the Lyons took a 5-3 lead into the bottom half. However, Trinity scored a pair of one-out runs before the winning run scored on a two-out error.

Gorton and junior Erika Marini (Pawtucket, RI/Saint Raphael Academy) each went 2-for-3, while MacDonald smacked her first collegiate hit. Senior Nicole Lachance (Rochester, NH/Spaulding) scored twice and had two steals, while Benton also swiped a pair of bases. Junior Jodi Moynagh (Worcester, MA/Holy Name Central Catholic) suffered the loss after striking out eight batters and walking no one, allowing all six runs during 6.1 innings. Senior Erin Mulvey (Round Rock, TX) earned the win for the 6-4 Tigers following an inning of relief.

In the second contest, junior Audrey Poulton (Charlestown, RI/Chariho Regional) scattered six hits while spinning her fifth career shutout by blanking Coe. Poulton yielded five singles, walked only one batter and allowed just one runner to reach third base, which came in the top of the seventh. With the Lyons holding a 2-0 advantage in the seventh, Kohawk senior Rachel Brinkman (Greene, IA) led off with a double to spark what would become a bases loaded situation with one down. However, Poulton recorded a strikeout for the second out, and a line drive to Gorton at second base ended it.

The Lyons notched both of their runs and all three of their hits in the fifth inning, as Gorton and MacDonald started another rally with consecutive one-out singles. Lachance doubled home the first run, and junior Alix Brozman's (Chappaqua, NY/Horace Greeley) groundout pushed across an insurance run. For 7-3 Coe, sophomore Ellie Schultz (Clayton, IA) went the distance while fanning eight and walking just one.

Wheaton plays another pair of contests tomorrow, beginning with a 10:00 a.m. contest with Saint Mary's College of Minnesota to complete pool play. The Lyons will begin bracket play at either 5:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. and continue action on Sunday.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 3/20/07.
Questions about this page? Use our query form.

News

Wheaton graduate Powers selected to guide Lyon softball program (more)

Kelleher becomes ninth Wheaton softball player to be named All-American (more)

Kelleher and Moynagh each earn NFCA All-New England accolades (more)

Upcoming Schedule

7-12-Mar Sat-Thu Spring Trip N TBA
19-Mar Thu Bridgewater St. (2) H 3:00pm
21-Mar Sat Coast Guard (2) H 12:00pm