FLUSHING, N.Y. – Opening a four-game homestand Tuesday afternoon, the Queens College softball team welcomed the Lions of Molloy University to Flushing for an East Coast Conference doubleheader.
It would be a pitcher's duel in game one as both sides combined for nine hits but a fielding error in the top of the fourth would allow Molloy to score two runs before the defense held the Knights off the bases to earn a 2-0 victory. In the nightcap, the Knights were able to get within two, 3-1 after the first inning of play but the Lions' offense would erupt for six runs over the next three innings of play to complete the Tuesday afternoon sweep and earn a 9-1 victory over Queens.
GAME ONE RECAP
In game one the Knights' offense was led by the trio of sophomore shortstop
Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, 2B), senior center fielder
Amanda Baez (Selden, N.Y.) (1-3 AB,) and senior third baseman
Emma Zumpol (Patchogue, N.Y.) (1-3 AB) as they combined for three hits with Cain recording a double.
Sophomore utility
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) pitched a complete game allowing six hits, two unearned runs, and three walks to go four strikeouts in a tough loss.
The Lions threatened to take an early lead as they rallied with two-outs to load the bases using two and a single but Campbell would work out of trouble as she induced a grounder to second base to end the inning.
Queens would respond similar fashion in the home frame of the first as with two outs, Zumpol and Baez singled but the Lions would match Campbell's effort as they were able to get the third out of the inning to keep the game scoreless.
Molloy would threaten once again in the top of the second as they put a runner on first and second with outs, but Campbell would keep the game scoreless as she induced a grounder to Cain to get the third out of the inning.
With one out in the home frame of the second, a fielding error would put a runner on first but the Lions would work out of trouble with a fielder's choice out and a grounder to second base.
As Campbell worked a clean inning in the top of the third, junior first baseman
Allie Parascandola (East Quoque, N.Y.) would reach base on a hit by pitch as the Knights put a runner on for the third straight inning. However, the Lions would get Campbell to line out to right field before a double play ended a potential scoring threat.
In the top of the fourth Molloy would take advantage of a fielding error to open the scoring before a RBI single to right field gave them a 2-0 lead.
Queens would look to get a run back in the home frame of the fourth as with one out, Cain laced a double to left field but the Lions would keep the Knights off the scoreboard as they were able to get the final two outs of the inning.
Queens would be kept off the bases for the remainder of the game as the Lions earned a 2-0 victory.
GAME TWO RECAP
In the nightcap Zumpol
(2-3 AB) and Cain
(2-2 AB, RBI, BB) combined for four hits, and one RBI, while the trio of Parascandola
(1-2 AB), Campbell
(1-3 AB, 2B, R) and Baez
(1-3 AB) combined for three hits and one run scored.
Molloy opened the scoring with a three-run shot over left field to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Knights would look to respond right away as they loaded the bases behind a hit by pitch to Parascandola, Campbell reaching on a fielding error and a Zumpol single.
The Lions would get the first out as Parascandola was caught short at home on a fielder's choice play but Cain would earn a five-pitch RBI walk as the Knights were able to get a run back.
However, the Lions would keep the bases loaded as they were able to retire the next two batters and keep a 3-1 lead intact.
A fielding error in the top of the second would see the Knights fall behind to the score of 5-1.
In the home frame with two outs, Parascandola would single to center field as the Knights looked to cut into their deficit but Molloy would get the final out of the inning.
The Lions added three runs in the top of the third behind four hits to take an 8-1 lead.
In the bottom of the third, with one out, Baez and Cain singled as Queens put runners on first and second. A sac bunt would advance both runners into scoring position, but the Lions would get the third out of the inning to keep Queens off the scoreboard.
As Molloy took a 9-1 lead after the top of the fourth, a fielding error would put a base runner on for the fourth straight inning but a pop up and a double play would end the threat.
In the bottom of the fifth, Queens threatened to avoid a five-inning loss as Campbell laced a double to right center before a Zumpol single up the middle and advanced Campbell to third base. However, the Lions' defense would once again avoid trouble to get the final three outs of the game and complete the series sweep to the final score of 9-1 Tuesday afternoon.
NEXT PITCH
The Knights return to QC Softball Field on Sunday, Apr. 13 as they welcome the Mavericks of Mercy University for an ECC doubleheader. The first pitch is set for noon.
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