CLERMONT (Fl.) – On the final day of the team's spring break trip to Clermont, Florida, the Delaware Valley University softball team dropped a pair of contests to Wentworth Institute of Technology and Trine University to finish the trip 3-4 overall.
The Aggies began the day against the Leopards of WIT (3-1) and surrendered five runs on five hits in the second and never recovered. A lead-off walk sparked the rally and Pettenger and Beverly each picked up two RBI singles to highlight the frame.
DelVal got its first runner aboard in the bottom of the third when Yasmine Gonzalez reached on an error. The next batter, Carly Mahal slapped a single through the left side to put runners at first and second with one out, and Sierra Ripka advanced each runner with a sacrifice bunt, but the Aggies failed to capitalize.
WIT tacked on two more runs with two hits in the top of the fifth and held DelVal to just two hits the rest of the way for the 7-0 final.
Four different players recorded multiple hits for the Leopards including Pettenger who finished with two RBI and a run scored. The Aggie hits came from Gonzalez, Mahal, and Olivia Monismith.
Caitlyn Pollock pitched seven innings in the circle for DelVal and allowed 10 hits and four walks with two punch outs. Erin Hancock earned the win for WIT and struck out eight while allowing two walks and two hits in 5.1 innings pitched.
The Aggies took on the Trine Thunder (0-7) under the lights for the final contest of the spring games in Florida.
Trine was the home team and posted seven runs through the first three innings on seven hits and two DelVal errors while stranding six runners on base. Monismith, who got the start in the circle, was able to get out of a one-out bases loaded jam in the first and stranded two runners in the second, but the Thunder brought 11 batters to the plate in the third and scored seven runs. Ashley Stewart and Giselle Riley each had RBI doubles to lead the way for Trine.
DelVal's best offense came in the top of the third with two outs when Ripka reached on an error and Pollock followed with a hard-hit single up the middle. The threat ended with a Gonzalez fly out to the opposite field.
The next inning, the Thunder tacked on five more runs on six hits to walk away with the 12-0 triumph.
Nine different players registered a hit for Trine led by Amanda Prather and her two hits, three RBI, and two runs scored. Anna Koeppl earned the win with two hits allowed, no walks, and eight strikeouts.
The Aggies will return from Florida and open Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play on Sunday, March 20 at FDU-Florham with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
