CLERMONT, F.L. – The College of Saint Elizabeth's softball team (7-3, 0-0 NEAC) continued its offensive surge to end its Florida Swing, downing Alverno College, 13-8 and The Sage Colleges, 10-1 in five innings to earn its fourth and fifth straight wins on Friday afternoon.
With Alverno leading 2-1 in the bottom of the first, Karyn Shimazu lined a double to left center, scoring Teya Carr to tie the game at two.
Following a scoreless second inning, Alverno struck for two runs in the third inning to regain a 4-2 advantage. In the bottom of the inning, after the Eagles tied the game, Ashley VonHorn lined a two-run single up the middle, giving the Eagles a 6-4 lead. CSE added an additional run in the inning to take a 7-4 lead into the fourth.
In the top of the fourth, Alverno put four runs across to retake the lead at 8-7.
In the bottom of the inning, with the bases loaded and one out, Neckolette Nedwell drew a bases loaded walk to score a run and tie the game at eight. The next batter, Jontae Patton ripped a single up the middle, scoring a run to give the Eagles a 9-8 lead. Shimazu followed with a two-run double and the Eagles later added two additional runs to take a 13-8 lead into the sixth.
Despite all the offense over the first five innings, Hampton shut the door on Alverno over the final two, not allowing a hit as the Eagles held on for the 13-8 win, its fourth consecutive victory.
On the mound, Alyssa Hampton earned the win in relief, picking up her second victory of the season. Jennifer Tinger finished with two hits and reached base in four of her five plate appearances while Shimazu added two hits and three RBI's.
In the bottom of the first in game two, Patton lined a single to right, scoring two to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
After the Carr drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the second, Patton lined a two-run double into the gap. The next batter, Shimazu roped a two-run single to right, upping the Eagles lead to 7-0.
After the Gators scored a run in the top of the fourth, the Eagles came right back in the bottom of the inning. With two on and no outs, Shimazu crushed her first career home run to center, a three-run shot to give the Eagles a 10-1 lead, which ended up being the final score in five innings.
Laura Costello picked up her second win of the season, striking out three in a five-inning complete game. Shimazu finished with two hits and five RBI's, including her first career home run.
The Eagles close out its Florida trip by winning seven of 10 games. CSE returns to action on March 16 for its home opener when it takes on St. Joseph's Brooklyn at 12 pm.
