FREDERICK, Md.--Hood dropped a pair of close non-conference
softball contests to visiting Gettysburg Wednesday afternoon at
Thomas Athletic Field. The Bullets took the opener 3-0 and
completed the sweep with a 2-0 win in the nightcap.
In game one, Gettysburg freshman Kristy Rubino held Hood to just
three hits and struck out nine, and sophomore Abbe Miller went
2-for-2 with a two-run double, a run scored and a walk.
Gettysburg (17-7) took a 1-0 lead in the first when Miller
singled with two outs and scored on a double by freshman Nicole
Yannotta.
The Bullets capped the scoring in the third when Miller laced a
two-run double to right center. Hood avoided further damage with an
inning-ending double-play lineout, one of three double plays in the
game for the Blazers.
Rubino (8-4) retired the first eight Hood batters before senior
Janelle Moss coaxed a two-out walk in the bottom of the third.
The Blazers got their first hit of the day when sophomore Jamie
Bussey singled with one out in the fourth. Bussey then stole
second, but Rubino fanned the next two batters to end the threat.
Hood (16-12) threatened in the sixth when freshman Sara Wastler
singled to start the sixth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt
by senior Jen Jones.
Rubino again held tough, getting a lineout to center and a
strikeout to end the inning.
Hood made Rubino work to earn the shutout, placing runners on
first and second with none out in the seventh. However, Gettysburg
brought the game to a close with a fielder's choice and a
double-play lineout to center.
Blazer senior Lisa Green (3-5) was solid in the loss, allowing
three earned runs on eight hits in six innings.
The nightcap featured more strong pitching from Bullet senior
Shannon Kiry and Hood freshman Kara Robert. The duo battled through
four scoreless innings before Gettysburg struck for single runs in
the fifth and sixth.
In the fifth, Bullet freshman Taylor Cianciotta laced a one-out
double and was replaced by sophomore pinch-runner Ali Stoll. Junior
Megan Dean followed with a single to left that was mishandled and
allowed Stoll to score the game's first run. Robert retired the
next two batters to avoid any further damage.
Gettysburg added another run in the sixth when Miller singled
with two outs and scored on a double by freshman Nicole Yannotta.
Hood, which left eight runners on base in the nightcap, brough
the trying run to the plate in the final two innings but couldn't
capitalize.
Kiry (10-3) scattered seven hits and struck out six for the
complete-game win.
Robert (4-4) suffered the tough loss after allowing just five
hits and one earned run.
The Blazers return to action tomorrow when they visit Gallaudet
for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m.
