After a weather-induced two-week hiatus, the UR softball team came back with a vengeance. The ‘Jackets scored 26 runs in 10 innings during a sweep of a doubleheader against Skidmore College in their first Liberty League match-up of the season. In addition, they continued to earn Liberty League honors for the week of April 16.
The Yellowjackets won game one of the doubleheader by a score of 17-0. Sophomore Beth Ameno pitched a complete game of five innings due to the mercy rule. She threw a one-hitter, allowed no runs, struck out 11 batters, matching her season-high strikeout total, and walked one batter.
UR scored all their runs over the course of four innings. In the first inning, the ‘Jackets posted six runs on the board.
Junior Jessica Sorrentino doubled to left field and advanced to third base on a single by sophomore Brittany Celeste. Celeste swiped second base, moving to third on a single by senior Sam Carr that scored Sorrentino. Carr moved to second on the throw, followed by a walk by sophomore Kristen DeCarlo.
Sophomore Megan Winn reached first base on a fielder’s choice, moving DeCarlo to second, scoring Celeste and with Carr out at third on the play. Then Ameno walked, advancing Winn to second and DeCarlo to third. Junior Alicia Citro walked, forcing in DeCarlo from third. Sophomore Mindy Altemose singled in Winn and Ameno, with Citro going to third. After batting around, Sorrentino singled to right field, scoring Citro for her second hit of the inning and sixth run for the team.
In the second inning, the ‘Jackets matched their first inning run production with another six runs. Carr led off the inning with a double to left center field. DeCarlo reached on an error by the shortstop, with Carr scoring as DeCarlo tried to make it to second. Ameno doubled to center field. Then Citro doubled to left field, scoring Ameno. Junior Rachel Skellie walked. Altemose reached on an error by the left fielder and advanced to second; Skellie advanced to third and Citro scored. Sorrentino hit a home run to right field to clear the bases and get three RBIs with her team-leading sixth homer of the season.
In the fourth inning, UR scored their last five runs of the game. Skellie singled to left field. Sorrentino walked while Skellie advanced to second. Celeste reached on an error by the third baseman, moving Sorrentino to second and advancing Skellie to third. Carr hit a grand slam to left center field, clearing the bases for four RBIs. DeCarlo was hit by a pitch, and Ameno singled to left field, sending DeCarlo to second. Citro hit a single to load the bases with Ameno moving up to second and DeCarlo going to third. Skellie singled up the middle for the final run of the game scoring DeCarlo from third.
Sorrentino and Carr each went a perfect three for three with four and five RBIs, respectively. Ameno also went three for three, scoring two runs.
UR took the second game of the doubleheader by a score of 9-1 behind the pitching of junior Carly Hoffend. Hoffend pitched a complete game of five innings again due to the mercy rule. She gave up four hits and one unearned run, while striking out five and walking none.
In the first inning, Sorrentino led off with a walk. Celeste singled to right field, advancing to second on the throw and then to third on an error by the pitcher. Sorrentino scored the first run of the inning.
Carr reached on a fielder’s choice and went to second on the throw home. Ameno doubled to right field, allowing Carr to score the second run of the inning.
The ‘Jackets scored another two runs in the second inning. Skellie singled to center field. Hoffend reached on a fielder’s choice, with Skellie out at second. Sorrentino walked, moving Hoffend to second.
Celeste singled to center field to load the bases, advancing Sorrentino to second and Hoffend to third. Carr reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring Hoffend. DeCarlo walked, forcing in Sorrentino from third for the second run.
In the third, UR added another three runs to the four they had already scored. Citro walked. Skellie hit a single to third base.
Citro moved to second and then to third on an error by the third baseman. Hoffend singled through the left side, advancing Skellie to second. With the bases loaded, Sorrentino singled up the middle, scoring Skellie and Citro for two RBIs. Hoffend advanced to second and, on the next play, scored on a Skidmore error.
In the fifth inning, UR scored their last two runs before their eight-run lead cut play short. Hoffend led off with a double to right field. Sorrentino followed with her own double, scoring Hoffend. Sorrentino scored the last run from third on a fielder’s choice.
The Yellowjackets dominated Skidmore pitching for 25 hits in nine innings. Skidmore made a lot of sloppy plays in the field; they committed nine errors over the course of both games. This, along with the skillful hitting and pitching of the ‘Jackets, shines through to show why they came out on top and are currently 12-5.
“Skidmore’s pitching was not as strong as other teams we have faced,” head coach Michelle Burrell said. “Sometimes the difference in speed can throw hitters off, but the team did a pretty good job adjusting.”
Ameno and Hoffend currently lead the Liberty League with ERAs of 1.47 and 1.99, respectively.
“Beth’s composure and consistency have improved significantly and have led to her successes on the mound thus far. Carly has worked to improve her speed and has great focus on the mound,” Burrell said. “The team is also playing good defense behind them.”
The Yellowjackets have earned Liberty League honors for Performer of the Week and Pitcher of the Week every week they have played.
Sorrentino’s perfect performance in the sweep of Skidmore earned her Liberty League Performer of the Week for the second week this season. She went five for five, scoring six runs and driving in seven RBIs. She had two doubles and a home run for a slugging percentage of 2.000. She also drew three walks.
“Jess has worked to improve her swing… this year [and] she got a lot of reps in the fall,” Burrell said. “She is much more confident at the plate and her power has been a pleasant surprise.”
Ameno garnered Liberty League Pitcher of the Week for the third week this season after her dominating pitching performance in the opener of the doubleheader. She picked up her fifth win and fifth complete game of the season with a one-hit, 11-strikeout performance. She struck out eight of the first 10 batters she faced.
This weekend, UR travels first to St. Lawrence University and then to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for continued play against Liberty League opponents.
Levy is a member of the class of 2008.
