BRIARCLIFF, N.Y.- The Pace softball team rallied with three runs in the final two innings to defeat the Chargers of the University of New Haven 10-9 in Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division play. The Setters improve to 9-8 overall and 2-5 in the division, while the Chargers drop to 13-6 overall and 3-2 in division play.
The Setters got off to a strong start as they plated seven runs in the first three innings. Samantha Garcia (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Rancho Cucamonga) (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Rancho Cucamonga) put Pace up 3-0 after one inning with a three-run double. Pace added to their lead in the second as Katie Lange (Upland, CA/St. Lucy's Priory) (Upland, CA/St. Lucy's Priory) drove in a run with a single, while Hana Wright (Hillsboro, OR/Valley Catholic) (Hillsboro, OR/Valley Catholic) gave the Setters a 5-0 lead with a sacrifice fly.
New Haven took the lead with six runs in the third but Pace retook the lead in their half of the inning. Erin Wood (Dover Plains, NY/Dover) (Dover Plains, NY/Dover) led off the inning with a solo homerun to tie the score at six. The Setters proceeded to draw four straight walks with Wright's walk forcing in a run to put the Setters back in the lead a 7-6. The Chargers answered with two runs in the fourth and one more in the sixth to jump back ahead by a score of 9-7.
Pace rallied over the final two innings as Wright led off the sixth with a walk. Kelly Fisher (Castle Rock, CO/Douglas County) (Castle Rock, CO/Douglas County) knotted the score at nine with a two-run homerun to left. Fisher retired all three batters in the top of the seventh to set up drama in the bottom half of the inning. Lana Buchbinder (San Francisco, CA/George Washington) (San Francisco, CA/George Washington) singled to start the inning and Natalie Gellos (Seattle, WA/Holy Names Academy) (Seattle, WA/Holy Names Academy) drew a walk. Following a double play, Gellos moved to second and scored as Lange grounder was misplayed by the second baseman as the Setters took the win in dramatic fashion.
On the mound, Chelsea Shea (Babylon, NY/West Babylon) got the start, going 3 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, while striking out two. Fisher (4-2) came on in relief, tossing the final 3 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit and struck out two to earn her fourth win of the season. Gellos and Buchbinder both had two hits in the game.
The Setters hit the road this weekend as they travel to Rindge, NH for an NE-10 doubleheader against Franklin Pierce on Saturday, April 6 at 1 pm.
