JOHNSTOWN – The Lady Raiders finally got to play their home opener on Tuesday, enjoying a quickly-rescheduled doubleheader with Columbia-Greene Community College. The Twins won 3-2 in Game One, but the FM Nine outplayed the Twins in Game Two, posting a 4-1 victory.

FM's Alyssa Palmateer and her battery mate Ashley Przybylowicz had another big day. Palmateer pitched all 14 innings while fellow pitcher Taylor Bubniak nursed an injury. Palmateer's pitching held the Twins to just four runs on the day, and she helped her own cause at the plate. (See photo at the bottom of this web page.) Przybylowicz was solid behind the plate and was productive as a batter. 

Photo:  Ashley Przybylowicz launches an RBI double – Abby Boyer is on deck

Game One

The Twins scored a run in the third inning, cashing in on a walk, a Texas Leaguer, and a single. They added two more in the fifth.

Courtney Putnam had two singles in the game. She was on first base in the sixth inning when Przybylowicz doubled to the fence in left field, scoring Putnam. Palmateer singled home her battery mate, closing the score to 3-2.

C-G   001 020 0  3-6-1

MV   000 002 0   2-4-2

Batteries:  C-G  Cahenzli and Pasco, FM  Palmateer and Przybylowicz

Game Two (Note: This year the host team bats as visitors in the second game.)

FM took a 1-0 lead in the third inning and increased that lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth. The Twins tightened the gap to 3-1 in their half of the frame. Both teams were playing good ball. FM Head Coach Meghan Power described the Lady Raiders' effort as "all-around good play."

FM added an insurance run in the seventh. Lauren Balfe stole third base and came home on Courtney Putnam's well-placed push bunt.

Photo:  Center fielder Lauren Balfe scoring FM's fourth run

Stephanie Rice drove a single to left. Ashley Przybylowicz lashed a laser shot that deflected off the Twins' third baseman and into foul territory.  Putnam tried to score but was tagged out in a close play at home.

Palmateer closed out the Twins' seventh with a strike out and two ground outs.

FM   001 002 1   4-6-4

C-G  000 001 0   1-2-1

FM Highlights:  2B: Przybylowicz, Boyer, Manson; RBI:  Putnam, Boyer, Reichard; Stephanie Rice had two singles.

Records:  C-G  1-3 overall and 1-3 conference; FM  2-4 (2-2)

The Lady Raiders' next outing will be this Saturday, April 18, when they travel to Watertown for a 1:00 p.m. for a non-conference doubleheader with Jefferson CC.

Photo:  Alyssa Palmateer has perfect eye contact as she belts a single

 

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