Softball Sweeps Lycoming – Stevens Institute of Technology Athletics
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (April 3, 2022) – Sophomore Julia Baber had a career-high five RBI to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team to a 9-2 victory over Lycoming College Sunday to complete a sweep of a MAC Freedom doubleheader at the Shangraw Athletic Complex.
Baber finished a single shy of the cycle as the Ducks defeated the Warriors 9-2. The West Windsor, New Jersey native connected for a three-run homer in the second and drove in a pair with an RBI double in the sixth to finish with the most RBI in a game since alumna Corinne Loncar drove in five against Utica on Apr. 7, 2018. The doubleheader sweep moved the Ducks to 5-9 on the year and to 3-1 in league play. Baber went 1 for 4 with a run scored in the opener.
In the opener, sophomore Carolyn Yahn's two-run single was part of a four-run fifth, as the Ducks earned a 6-3, come-from-behind win.
Angie King had a two-run double for Lycoming, who fell to 4-12 on the year and to 0-4 in league play. It was the first meeting between the teams.
"Solid two wins today," said head coach Emily Kaczmarek. "We really showed up in game two. We need to continue to focus and prioritize our expectations. Today was 19 all-in for every pitch and that's what we need all the time. The goal is to keep building one day at a time with the type of trust and commitment we showed today."
After rain and poor weather conditions delayed the start of game one by an hour, Lycoming jumped on junior Erin Kreis (2-4) with three runs in the first. Rachel Daub plated the first run of the game with a two-out RBI single and King followed with a two-run double three batters later.
After the shaky start, Kreis settled down, allowing just one hit over the final six innings to post her fifth complete game of the season.
The Ducks rallied with a pair of runs in the second. Fifth-year Siobhan Cottell got the rally started with a leadoff double to left center off starter Payton Whary (2-4). After a flyout, first-year Rachael Prescott singled to score Cottell with the Ducks' first run of the contest. The RBI single was the second of Prescott's career. After an error and another flyout, senior Meg Halloran delivered a run-scoring single to center.
The Ducks jumped in front in the fifth, scoring four runs and sending nine batters to the plate. Halloran began the game-changing rally with a bunt single to leadoff the frame. Baber singled to second and a sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position. After a fielder's choice, the Ducks strung together four straight singles that turned a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 advantage.
Baber provided the Ducks with all of the offense they'd need in the second, driving an Avery Eiswerth (2-4) offering well over the left-field fence for her second career homer. Prescott singled to left to start the inning. After Yahn reached on a fielder's choice, the Ducks caught a break with second baseman Kacee Reitz dropped a throw on senior Amanda Delorme's grounder. Junior Alex Schoellig advanced the runners with a grounder and Halloran singled through the left side for the Ducks' first run of the game. The Ducks' speedy outfielder swiped second and came around to score on Baber's homer.
The four-run cushion was plenty for first-year Kaitlin Smith, who allowed just two unearned runs to earn her third win of the year. Smith retired seven in a row to close out the victory.
Stevens created a little breathing room in the sixth, scoring five times with sophomore Jessica Guerrero's two-run double serving as the big blow in the inning.
Up Next: Softball hosts Manhattanville for a non-conference doubleheader at Waterfront Park on Apr. 5. The teams have met just once in their histories, with the Valiants sweeping the Ducks on Apr. 24, 2019 in Weehawken.
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