MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Pace University Softball team kicked off their 2013 season with a sweep over Chowan University, taking the opener 3-0 and winning 4-3 in the nightcap. The Setters open up at 2-0, while Chowan falls to 3-11 on the season.
In the opener, Natalie Gellos (Seattle, WA/Holy Names Academy) (Seattle, WA/Holy Names Academy) and Katie Lange (Upland, CA/St. Lucy's Priory) (Upland, CA/St. Lucy's Priory) both went 3-for-3 with Lange driving in the Setters' third run in the fifth inning. Lana Buchbinder (San Francisco, CA/George Washington) (San Francisco, CA/Georg Washington) got the Setters on the board in the fourth with a two-run double to score Lange and Marissa Cerniglia (Emerson, NJ/Emerson) (Emerson, NJ/Emerson). On the mound, Chelsea Shea (Babylon, NY/West Babylon) (Babylon, NY/West Babylon) tossed a three-hitter, while striking out five to give the Setters a solid start to their 2013 season.
In the second game, Samantha Garcia (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Rancho Cucamonga) (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Rancho Cucamonga) gave the Setters a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a two-run single. Chowan answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to slice the score to 2-1.
The teams traded single runs in the fourth and fifth innings as Rachael McMahon (Corona, CA/Esperanza) (Corona, CA/Esperanza) drove in the final Pace run of the afternoon with a double to score Jeane Drury (Flanders, NJ/Morris Catholic High School) (Flanders, NJ/Morris Catholic). On the mound for the Setters, Kelly Fisher (Castle Rock, CO/Douglas County) (Castle Rock, CO/Douglas County) tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out seven to improve to 1-0 on the season. Caitlin McCann (San Mateo, CA/Notre Dame) came on to record the final out on a strikeout to pick up her first save of the young season.
The Setters are back in action on Saturday, March 2 as Pace will face Shippensburg University on the Chowan University campus in Murfreesboro, NC for a doubleheader with first pitch at 12 pm.
