From NYU Athletics

The New York University softball team completed its stay in Florida with victories over Macalester College and SUNY Oswego on Friday, March 17, in Leesburg, FL.

The Violets (6-2) pushed across runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Macalester 4-3 and then in the bottom of the eighth to outlast SUNY Oswego 1-0.

In the first game, Karissa Zubulake shutout the Scots (8-5) for the first six innings. The Violets were ahead 3-0 heading into that final inning following Ashley Mains' and Molly Webber's RBI hits in the third and Sage Scheiwiller scoring the Violets' third run in the fourth.

However, Macalester broke through with three runs in the top of the seventh, the final two being driven in on Nikki Caicedo's two-run single with two outs.

But, Scheiwiller walked to lead off the bottom of the frame. Pinch runner Marissa Bella then went all the way to third when Jacqueline Finn's bunt was misplayed. Finn was replaced by Honor Sankey. Then, with pinch hitter Sydni Holtz at the plate, Sankey attempted to steal second. And, when the throw went through, Bella came home with the winning run.

"It wasn't pretty in that last inning," said Head Coach Now Allah-James, "But, we showed resiliency to come back and get the win."    

Zubulake struck out five batters in recording her second victory of the season.

"She was really on today," James explained.

The second game remained scoreless through seven innings, so the international rule of placing a runner on second base to start an extra inning was employed.

Cassi Parulis, who started and went the distance for NYU, did not allow that inherited runner to score in the top of the eighth. 

In the bottom of the frame, pinch runner Marissa Bella was placed on second. She was sacrificed to third by Finn and driven in on a single up the middle by Allyson Schmus, her second hit of the game.

"Timely hitting and fielding helped us win this game," James said.

Parulis allowed only three hits and struck out seven in recording her first win of the season.

"Cassi was phenomenal. She hit her spots and made them hit the ball on the ground," James offered. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORES:

vs. Macalester

- Webber, Claire Stefanelli and Dakota Damiani each recorded a double.

- Finn also walked and singled.

- Scheiwiller drew two walks in the contest.

vs. SUNY Oswego

- Diana King and Scheiwiller had the Violets' other two hits in the game.

- The victory was NYU's fourth straight.

"Overall, a great trip. Lots of timely hitting and fielding," James concluded. "Very positive."