VIERA, Fla. — D'Youville (5-5) had a mixed day in Florida on Monday, beginning with a decisive 6-1 victory over the University of Minnesota Crookston softball team (6-18), followed by an 8-2 loss to Palm Beach Atlantic University (6-13).
In the first game against Minnesota Crookston, D'Youville capitalized on a strong start, scoring six runs in the first three innings and recording nine hits, including three doubles and a triple.
In the first inning,
Shannon Howes (Palgrave, Ontario / St. Thomas Aquinas) singled and later scored on a groundout by
Summer Clark (Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville North), giving D'Youville an early lead. By the end of the inning, D'Youville led 1-0.
The second inning saw D'Youville extend its lead with two unearned runs.
Jorja Sandilands (Brooklin, Ontario / Brooklin) walked and eventually scored on an error, followed by
Frankie Morris (Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster) scoring on a single by Howes. The home team led 3-0 after two innings.
D'Youville's offense continued in the third inning. After a sequence initiated by Clark's single, Sandilands hit a triple, driving in
Annie Jorgenson (Victoria, B.C. / Belmont SS).
Isabella Mancino (Wynantskill, N.Y. / Averill Park) followed with a single to bring in Sandilands. Morris then hit a ground-rule double, adding another run. D'Youville extended its lead to 6-0.
The Golden Eagles managed to score in the fifth inning on a fielder's choice. However, D'Youville's defense held firm, maintaining the lead at 6-1.
Summer Clark delivered a complete game performance, pitching 7 innings for D'Youville. She allowed 9 hits and just 1 earned run while issuing only 1 walk and striking out 3 batters. Her control was evident as she faced 30 batters and induced 11 flyouts and 6 groundouts.
Shannon Howes contributed with two hits, one run, and one RBI in the game.
Jorja Sandilands added a triple and scored two runs while driving in one.
Frankie Morris finished with two hits, including a double, and accounted for one run and one RBI.
In the second game against Palm Beach Atlantic, D'Youville fell 8-2.
Shannon Howes contributed with a run-scoring hit in the third inning, but Palm Beach Atlantic's offense proved too strong with 12 hits, including two home runs.
Palm Beach Atlantic took an early lead with three runs in the first inning. D'Youville responded in the third inning with two unearned runs. Howes scored first after reaching third on an error, and
Danielle Fenlong (Georgetown, Ontario / Christ the King SS) crossed the plate following an RBI single by
Jorja Sandilands. The inning concluded with the score at 4-2, still in favor of the Sailfish.
The Sailfish extended their lead in the fourth inning with another run scored on a passed ball, making it 5-2. In the sixth inning, the Sailfish solidified their lead with three more runs, including back-to-back home runs to bring the score to 8-2. The final inning saw no change in the score, and the game concluded with a final score of Palm Beach Atl. 8, D'Youville 2.
Hailee Jenkins (Ontario, Canada / Fenelon Falls SS) pitched 3 1/3 innings in the loss, allowing five earned runs on eight hits, with one strikeout and four walks. Jenkins faced 22 batters, achieving eight groundouts in her outing.
Kendal Lehnen (Sherrill, N.Y. / Vernon Verona Sherrill) relieved Jenkins, pitching 2 2/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs on four hits. Lehnen recorded two strikeouts and issued three walks while facing 15 batters.
Danielle Fenlong led the offense with a .667 batting average, recording two hits and one run while also drawing a walk. Sandilands contributed an RBI and a hit, finishing with a .333 batting average.
Frankie Morris excelled defensively at third base, recording five assists.
