Morrisville, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly softball team picked up two victories over SUNY Morrisville, winning both games 5-1 and 4-3. Annabella Mondello played a pivotal role, driving in three runs and earning a win in the circle. With the pair of wins, the Wildcats improved to 6-4 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME ONE:
The game started with a flurry of action as the Wildcats quickly jumped on the scoreboard. A lead-off walk to Ava Faragon was followed by a single from Shelbi Hagues, putting two runners on. Annabella Mondello delivered a clutch 2-RBI single up the middle, scoring Faragon and Hagues, giving SUNY Poly an early 2-0 lead. they would add another run when Kimberly Birmingham crossed the plate on a passed ball, making it 3-0 before the inning ended.
The Mustangs answered back quickly. After a leadoff double, SUNY Morrisville would get a runner to cross the plate. However, Morrisville's offense stalled as three consecutive strikeouts ended the inning, limiting the damage to just one run.
SUNY Poly was held scoreless in the second despite a single from Faragon, leaving one runner stranded. SUNY Morrisville couldn't get anything going in their half of the second, as they went down in order with three strikeouts.
In the third, SUNY Poly extended their lead. After a couple of errors and a walk, Joely Welpe scored off an error, making it 4-1. Morrisville had another opportunity to respond in the bottom of the inning, but struggled with runners on base. Despite some errors that loaded the bases, the SUNY Poly defense kept them at bay, ending the threat with a foul out and a strikeout.
In the fourth, SUNY Poly added another insurance run. Birmingham crushed a solo home run to left field, extending their lead to 5-1. Morrisville threatened again with two singles in the fourth, but could not get the big hit they needed.
The Mustangs final opportunity to claw back came in the sixth with runners on the corners. However, a fielder's choice and another strikeout squashed the rally, and Morrisville left two runners stranded.
The Wildcats would go on to clinch game one by a score of 5-1.
GAME TWO:
The second game also began with SUNY Poly taking an early lead. After a single by Shelbi Hagues, Annabella Mondello hit a triple to right field, bringing Hagues home to give SUNY Poly a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the second. Kelly Powell walked and stole second, and Joely Welpe singled to left, advancing Powell to third. A sacrifice fly from Jillian O'Connor allowed Powell to score, and Welpe soon followed her across the plate to make it 3-0.
Morrisville State continued to struggle in the second, as they were retired in order with three more strikeouts.
The top of the fourth saw SUNY Poly add another run as Welpe led off with a solo home run, giving the Wildcats a 4-0 advantage.
SUNY Morrisville finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. After a single by and a passed ball that moved a runner into scoring position, a single through the left side of the field put runners on the corners for the Mustangs. A two-RBI single, aided by an error, brought in both runs to cut the lead to 4-2.
In the fifth, neither team scored. The Wildcats went down quietly, while SUNY Morrisville's offense continued to struggle. Despite getting a single and a walk, the rally was snuffed out, and Morrisville left both runners on base.
Morrisville had one final opportunity in the bottom of the seventh. A sac bunt gave the Mustangs a chance to tie it. However, a clutch strikeout from Trinity Critelli would help the Wildcats seal a 4-3 victory in game two.
