March 8, 2007
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Clearwater, FL - The Wagner College softball team started their season off on a high note claiming a 5-4 victory over Western Michigan at the Adidas Invitational earlier this morning. Sophomore Jaclyn Vanore (Palisades Park, NJ / Paramus Catholic) drove in three runs for the Seahawks (1-0) including a go ahead double in the fifth inning. Western Michigan falls to 3-3 with the loss.
Taking the field for the first time this season, the Seahawks experienced little gym rust as they got things started with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Senior Natalie Stephens (Jackson, NJ / Jackson) drew a leadoff walk and after a pair of infield singles scored when sophomore Andrea Lazzari (Reno, NV / Wooster) was hit by a pitch. Freshmen Kate Eshelman (Reno, NV / McQueen), who singled to short on her first collegiate at bat earlier in the frame, then gave Wagner a 2-0 lead as she scored following a bases loaded walk from Vanore
The lead would be short lived however as Western Michigan answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the first. The Broncos used a leadoff double and an infield error to place two runners on which would then scored on consecutive one out singles to the left side.
The score remained deadlocked at 2-2 until the fifth when a two out, two-run double into right by Vanore put Wagner ahead 4-2. Vanore advanced to third on a throw home and scored one batter later on a sharp single down the right field line from junior Ami Iwicki (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central).
The Broncos came back again in the last of the sixth behind three straight hits to start the at bat. Amanda Heckman lace a double into center to score the first run before a fielder's choice cut the Wagner lead to 5-4. The Seahawks then escaped the jam with an unconventional double play recording an out at second base and then nailing a runner at home.
In the last of the seventh, Western Michigan threatened again placing a runner on second with two outs, but a diving catch by senior Joy Gallagher (Hazleton, PA / Hazleton) sealed the win.
Senior Morgan Miller (Las Vegas, NV / Silverado) (1-0) took the win on the mound for Wagner allowing three earned runs on eight hits. Kyla Sullivan (3-2) was charged with the loss for the Broncos.
Junior Katie Stevens (Reno, NV / Wooster) reached base three times for the Seahawks recording two hits and scoring a run.
The Seahawks return to action at 4:00 pm today when they face host school South Florida.
R H E
Wagner College 5 9 1
Western Michigan 4 8 0
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