SYRACUSE – The Lady Raiders had the opportunity to experience play on Onondaga CC's spacious, artificial turf field on Sunday afternoon. It was FM's first chance to be outdoors this season, but OCC had already played eight games in Myrtle Beach. The home team easily outplayed the visitors, shutting out FM in both games.
It was a cold day, but the skies were blue and bright. OCC's new softball field is among the largest in college softball, with symmetrical fences that are all 225' from home plate.
Photo: FM pitcher Taylor Bubniak gets the out at first base
Game One
OCC pitcher Elizabeth Jackson set FM down in order in the top of the first, and FM's Taylor Bubniak matched Jackson's success, allowing no hits or walks in her half of the inning. OCC, however, did get one runner to first base thanks to an FM error.
The inning ended with a nice play. FM freshman Lauren Balfe had a very solid day behind the plate. OCC's Sammi Loveless sent a low popup along the first base foul line. Balfe sprinted halfway to first base and made a running catch in foul territory.
FM freshman Ashley Przybylowicz opened the second inning with her first collegiate at-bat. Przybylowicz promptly drove a pitch to the fence in right-center and sprinted to second with a double.
Photos: Ashley Przybylowicz' first collegiate at-bat
Abby Boyer drew a walk. Cori Manson sacrificed the runners to second and third, but FM was unable to score.
OCC's bats came alive in the home half of the third. An FM outfield error, an OCC double, and two OCC bloop singles resulted in five runs for the home team. In the next inning the flood gates opened, and Onondaga cruised to a 13-0 win.
Game Two
In the top of the first, Przybylowicz banged a single through the 5/6 hole, and Stephanie Rice followed with an infield hit, but FM could not score.
Alyssa Palmateer was in the circle for the Lady Raiders. OCC took advantage of two Raider errors, stroked two singles and two doubles, and drew two walks. They scored eight runs in the first inning.
FM batters hit safely twice in the fifth inning. Rebekah Reichard led off with a hard drive into center field and Balfe singled nicely into left field, but once again the Raiders could not score. OCC shut out FM 18-0
Photo: Lauren Balfe singles to left
Schedule
The Lady Raiders hope to host Cayuga CC this Saturday, April 4, at 1:00 p.m. FM split their doubleheader with Cayuga last spring. However, the lingering winter weather may not allow the field to be ready for play on Saturday. Check this website for changes in the schedule.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Game One
FMCC 000 00 0-1-3
OCC 005 8x 13-14-1
Batteries: FM – Bubniak and Balfe, OCC – Jackson and Hunsinger
Game Two
FMCC 000 00 0-4-5
OCC 813 6x 18-11-0
Batteries: FM – Palmateer and Balfe, OCC – Sears, Lehman (5) and Hunsinger
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