Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College women's softball team dropped a pair of one-run decisions to the visiting Red Flash of Saint Francis (PA) this afternoon on Senior Day at the Lower Athletics Field. After falling in a back-and-forth affair in game one 7-6, the Green & White were edged in game two by a score of 2-1. With the losses, the Seahawks fall to 13-28 overall, with a 7-9 mark in NEC play. The Red Flash improve to 13-34 overall, 4-12 in league play.

Saint Francis (PA) got on the board quickly in game one with a run in the top of the first inning. The Seahawks responded in the bottom half of the inning when freshman Brittany Huss's (Anthem, AZ / Boulder Creek) double to left center plated senior Kate Eshelman (Reno, NV / McQueen).

Wagner then took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second. Junior Ashley Olsen (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) opened up the inning with a single to left and later came around to score on Eshelman's single up the middle.

The Red Flash came right back with two more runs in the top half of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. However, the Green & White tied the game again in the bottom of the inning. After junior Amanda Garcia (Fresno, CA / California State University, Fresno) drew a two-out walk, Olsen followed with a single through the left side. Freshman Carley Nicoletti (Plainville, NY / C.W. Baker) then singled to the left side, driving in Garcia.

The 3-3 tie remained until the top of the fifth, when Saint Francis (PA) scored two runs off of two hits and a miscue by the Seahawk defense. The gritty Seahawks responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs of their own to knot up the game once more, this time at 5-5.

Huss led off the fifth with a single, which was followed by a Garcia walk. Olsen then advanced both runners on a groundout to the second baseman. After a strikeout, freshman catcher Alyssa McCulloch (East Brunswick, NJ / East Brunswick) delivered a two-out, two RBI double down the left field line to score Huss and Garcia.

The Red Flash had one more rally in them, however, coming back to score another pair of runs in the top of the sixth to take a 7-5 lead. After going quietly in the bottom of the sixth, Wagner held Saint Francis (PA) scoreless in the top of the seventh frame and attempted to mount once last comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Huss led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third after a groundout and fly out. Down to her last strike, pinch hitter Hailey Corthell (Reno, NV / Reno) drove in Huss with a double to right center. Unfortunately, the Seahawks could not continue the rally, as McCulloch struck out to end the game.

In the circle, freshman starter Judy Betz (Ashburn, VA / Broad Run) took the loss after giving up two earned runs on nine hits and a walk through four plus innings of action. Senior Danielle Wagoner (Temecula, CA / Temecula Valley) provided three innings of relief for the Seahawks, allowing two unearned runs on three hits.

Game two was assuredly a pitcher's duel, as Wagner starter Terah DeBinder (Cypress, CA / Cypress) and Saint Francis hurler Carmen Gurrola each threw complete games. DeBinder gave a great performance, allowing a single earned run on only four hits and a walk. Unfortunately, the Seahawk bats could not get it going against Gurrola and the Red Flash.

Saint Francis (PA) once again took a 1-0 in the top of the first inning. This score stood until the bottom of the third, when a two-out rally by the Green & White tied the score at 1-1. Sophomore Vanessa Lenart (Fontana, CA / Henry J. Kaiser HS) got it started with a double to right center with two outs and no one on base. The next batter Huss then put the ball in play, and an error by the Red Flash left fielder allowed Lenart to score and even up the contest.

Saint Francis took the lead back in the top of the sixth, scoring an unearned run off a Wagner miscue with two outs in the inning. The Seahawks threatened in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with one out. Unfortunately the Red Flash's Gorrula responded with two consecutive strikeouts to get out of the jam.

Junior Emily Pierce (Phoenix, AZ / Desert Vista) led of the bottom of the seventh with a single to left, but was left stranded as Saint Francis closed out the 2-1 victory.

Wagner returns to action tomorrow, Sunday May 2nd, when the Green & White play host to visiting NEC foe Robert Morris University. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 12:00pm.


NOTES – Wagner honored seniors Eshelman and Wagoner in a pregame ceremony. 

Game 1 Box

Game 2 Box