DELHI, N.Y. (April 3, 2019) – SUNY Delhi softball held their home opener Wednesday, taking the diamond against SUNY Cobleskill. It marked the first time that the local-rival institutions competed as NCAA Division III members. The Fighting Tigers earned a pair of five-inning wins decided by eight runs, taking the opening game, 8-0, and the nightcap, 9-1.
Head coach Meagan Hillard's squad will stay in the SUNY family for their next matchup, heading to Morrisville State on Thursday for a twin bill starting at 3:00 p.m. The ladies then trek to ACAA-opponent Pine Manor this Saturday for a doubleheader, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
COBLESKILL 8, DELHI 0
The Fighting Tigers took a run in the second and third, then added a pair of three-run innings in the fourth and fifth for the early win. But despite what the score board flashed, the Broncos played Cobleskill closely. To put into perspective, Delhi left six runners on base, along with putting seven runners in scoring position, while two of Cobleskill's runs were unearned. Delhi threatened to stay alive in the bottom in the fifth. With Mackenzie Sparacino on third with one out, Shelby Nolan hit a liner to left field that was snagged by Quesha Sells. Sierra Keesler then hit a deep slicer to right field that was caught on the run by Brooke Marciniak to end the game.
Haylee Lefebvre pitched 4.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts. Nolan batted 2-for-3 with one double, while Keesler was 1-for-3 with a two-bagger.
COBLESKILL 9, DELHI 1
The Broncos drew first blood with a run to lead, 1-0, after one on a Sierra Keesler groundout to bring home Mackenzie Sparacino. But a five-run Cobleskill second put the visitors in front, then drove in three runs in the third to lead by seven at 8-1. The Fighting Tigers then put up the pivotal additional run with two outs in the top of the five to go up by eight. But the Broncos again looked to extend the evening, with Jaylynn Sheppard starting things off with a leadoff single and stealing second base. This early effort was thwarted, however, on an unassisted double play by Cobleskill second baseman Alyssa Villielm. She dove to catch a liner off the bat of Shelby Nolan, then thrusted over to touch second base just before Sheppard could get back. Mackenzie Sparacino kept the game going reaching first on a bunt, but a Sierra Keesler strikeout put an end to the game.
Starting pitcher Molly Greene pitched the first two innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Haylee Lefebvre pitched the remainder, giving up just two earned runs on four hits with four K's.
