Rochester, N.Y.—The Ithaca softball team (18-8, 9-1 Empire 8) swept Saturday's doubleheader at Nazareth (12-14, 4-6 Empire 8), winning 3-0 and 8-2. The Bombers have won six straight and have allowed more than three runs just once in their last 17 games.
Senior Alyssa Brook (Monmouth Regional/Tinton Falls, N.J.) threw a complete-game three-hit shutout in game one, striking out six without walking a batter. She allowed just two Golden Flyers to reach second base.
Junior catcher Kerry Barger (Carmel/Carmel), who hit her second home run in as many days, and junior third baseman Alison Greaney (John F. Kennedy/Iselin, N.J.) both had two of Ithaca’s seven hits.
Barger also brought in Ithaca’s first run; senior first baseman Caitlin Ryan (Allentown/Clarksburg, N.J.) drew a one-out first-inning walk and stole second before scoring when Barger reached on an outfield error.
The Bombers added their final run in the seventh when junior Brittany Lillie (Honeoye Falls-Lima/Honeoye Falls) reached on the last of Nazareth’s three errors, stole second and scored on a single by senior outfielder Alyssa Guzman (Newburgh Free Academy/Newburgh).
The Bombers stole five bases – matching their highest single-game total since a win over Oneonta last April 19 – with freshman center fielder Jennifer Biondi (Morris Knolls/Denville, N.J.) stealing two. She’s five-for-five on the bases this spring.
Ithaca’s power surge continued in game two with two-run home runs by Greaney and freshman outfielder Molly O'Donnell (Niskayuna/Niskayuna). Ithaca’s 18 home runs this season are the program’s fifth-highest single-season total.
O’Donnell collected a career-best seven total bases, collecting a single and double along with her fifth home run of the year, which highlighted the Bombers’ five-run first inning. Barger added a two-run double and junior second baseman Kait Dolan (Victor/Farmington) scored on an infield error after drawing a leadoff walk.
Dolan and Greaney each had two hits. Ithaca added three fifth-inning runs on Greaney’s first home run of the year and a run-scoring double by Biondi.
Lillie, 5-2 on the season, struck out six to earn the win. She didn’t walk a batter, marking the third game in a row that Bomber pitching held their opponents without a walk.
The Bombers play a non-league doubleheader at Rochester Tuesday.
Game one box score
Game two box score