From NYU Athletics
The New York University softball team (1-3) split a pair of games at the Triangle Grand Slam Classic in Rocky Mount, NC, on Sunday, February 28.
The Violets fell to North Carolina Wesleyan College (2-3) 11-10, but rallied in the second game to defeat Wilson College (0-3) 7-5.
NYU came out swinging to take an early lead in the opener, as freshman Dakota Damiani started with a single to left and eventually advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Sage Scheiwiller plated her rookie teammate with an RBI double to right-centerfield in the next at-bat.
North Carolina Wesleyan got on the board and took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the third thanks to some small ball, as well as a Violet fielding error. The Battling Bishops scored two more in the bottom of the fourth on another NYU error and led 4-1 heading into the fifth.
NYU took advantage of a few walks and errors to begin their comeback when Damiani stepped up to the plate to smack a two-run double up the middle and bring the Violets within one. Junior Molly Webber was able to tie the game on a two-out RBI single two at-bats later.
The home half saw NC Wesleyan come out swinging and regain the lead after a few more NYU errors. The Battling Bishops now led 9-4.
The Violets rallied in the sixth as freshman Allyson Schmus hit a standup-double to cut the lead to 9-6. Scheiwiller followed with a two-run single to bring NYU within one. After another North Carolina Wesleyan error, NYU took a 10-9 lead.
Another NYU error allowed NC Wesleyen to tie it up 10-10 in the bottom of the sixth. The Battling Bishops scored one more in the bottom of the seventh and topped the Violets in walk-off fashion.
The Violets quickly rebounded in game two. NYU scored four runs on five hits and batted around the lineup in the first inning.
NYU held its lead with a stellar pitching performance from freshman Cassi Parulis. The rookie took a no-hitter into the fourth and helped pitch the Violets to their first win of the season.
The Phoenix worked toward a comeback in the top of the fourth, but was only able to score two runs.
The NYU bats surged again in the bottom of the sixth as Scheiwiller's streak continued with a deep double to the fence in right-center. Following a pair of singles from Bonsignore and Webber, the Violets added to their lead, making it 7-2.
Despite allowing three more runs, the Violets held on for the victory.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Freshman Diana King went 2-ofr-3, scoring two runs with two walks.
- Damiani was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in her first collegiate start.
- NYU out-hit North Carolina Wesleyan 11-9
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS:
- Schewiller extended her hitting streak to four games.
- Bonsignore went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two walks and a RBI.
- Parulis won her first collegiate game on the mound.