April 25, 2007

NEW CASTLE, Del.-The Post University softball team's chances at the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Softball Championships, got a little bit better, with a doubleheader sweep at league-leading Wilmington College, Wednesday afternoon at Asbury Field.

The Eagles improve to 15-21 overall and more importantly improve to 11-9 in the CACC, as the race for the CACC Championships heats up. Wilmington falls to 26-12 overall and 13-5 in the CACC.

With the sweep, the Eagles have now won six of their last 10 games.

In the first game, the Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Senior Megan Pappas smacked an RBI-single to left field, to plate sophomore Michelle Stotz, who had a leadoff single to centerfield. Post added its second run of the inning, when junior Desere Obregon's single to left field, knocked in Pappas.

The Eagles kept the 2-0 lead throughout the game, while tacking on an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Junior Amanda Misa grounded out to second base, which allowed senior Shannon Firetto to come across and score. Firetto had a single through the right side of the Wilmington infield, and went to third, when Stotz reached on an error.

Wilmington scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning, but could not push across the winning run.

Pappas went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Stotz was 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Junior Caitlin McAveney picked up the win, giving up no runs on six hits and four strikeouts in four innings of work. Pappas came on in relief giving up two runs on four hits in three innings of work.

In the nightcap, both teams were held off the board until the top of the fourth inning, when the Eagles crossed the plate twice on four hits. With the bases loaded senior Priscilla Encarnacao singled through the right side of the infield to bring in Pappas. With the bases still loaded, freshman Samantha Canning ripped a single up the middle to plate McAveney.

Wilmington, tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

However, the Eagles scored two more runs in the top of the sixth inning. Canning came through again, with a single up the middle.

Canning led the Eagles at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three runs batted in. McAveney went 2-for-3 as well with a run scored.

Pappas pitched three innings of three-hit ball to get the win in relief. She gave up one walk, and struck out one batter. McAveney started and gave up two runs on six hits in four innings.

Post returns to LaMoy Field on Friday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader against Dowling College. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.