CANTON, N.Y. (April 12, 2019) – SUNY Delhi softball again split a doubleheader with SUNY Canton on Friday to even up their two-day, four-game series. Much like in their twin bill with the Roos Thursday in Liverpool, NY, the Broncos came up short in a competitive opening contest, then retaliated with plenty of offense and seven strong innings by pitcher Molly Greene to pick up the night cap. With the games moved over to SUNY Canton on Friday, Delhi was edged out in game one, 2-1, then took a 7-2 victory in game two to stand at 7-7 on the year, having won six of their last eight games.
Head coach Meagan Hillard's team has one more test before wrapping up spring break, traveling to face ACAA-foe Valley Forge on Saturday, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
CANTON 2, DELHI 1
Starter Haylee Lefebvre found herself in a pitcher's duel with Canton's Kayla Chavarri. While the Roos struck early with a run in the first inning, Lefebvre held the Roos scoreless through the next three innings, leaving three runners in scoring position in the process and allowing just four hits the whole game. The Broncos tied things up in the third when a Shelby Nolan sacrifice fly brought Jaylynn Sheppard in. But Delhi's offense was stifled outside of that by Chavarri, who held them to five hits with seven strikeouts.
The Broncos stranded five runners in scoring position, and fell victim to two inning-ending double plays, with the latter ending the game. After a leadoff double by Sheppard put her on second with one out in the seventh, Natasha Picozzi flew out to right fielder Brittany Miner, who threw out a charging Sheppard at third base on a sacrifice fly attempt.
Sheppard stood as the only Bronco with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with two doubles.
DELHI 7, CANTON 2
The Broncos got rolling quick to avenge their opening loss, putting a three-spot in the second and two in the third for a 5-0 lead. After a Jaylynn Sheppard RBI single got Delhi on the board, Mackenzie Sparacino brought home Yesileidy Paulino on a sacrifice fly to right, which also brought home Sheppard, who reached third and advanced on a throwing error. Haylee Lefebvre carried the scoring into the third with an RBI single, which was followed by Samantha Mendelsohn coming home on a wild pitch.
Though the Roos would get two back in the third to make the score 5-2, pitcher Molly Greene kept Canton silent the rest of the way, allowing just four hits with one strikeout. This effort was rewarded when Delhi widened its lead with two more runs in the sixth for a 7-2 advantage. Greene worked her way out of trouble in the sixth, when Kayla Chavarri led off with a double and moved to third with one out. Greene retired the next two batters on ground outs to keep the Roos from getting any closer. And with rain threatening to disrupt things in the seventh, the Broncos moved swiftly to retire the Roos for the win, capped off with catcher Dakota Baker throwing out Mackenzie Currie on a steal attempt at second base for out number three.
Lefebvre went 3-for-4 with one RBI, while Paulino went 2-for-3. Jaylynn Sheppard was 1-for-2 with one RBI, along with two stolen bases.
