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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
2
John Carroll JCU 4-1
3
Winner Drew DREW 4-1
John Carroll JCU
4-1
2
Final
3
Drew DREW
4-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
John Carroll JCU 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 9 0
Drew DREW 0 0 0 2 0 1 X 3 7 1

W: Bailey Comeau (2-0) L: Graves, Emily (0-1)

3
Winner Swarthmore SWATSB22 5-1
2
John Carroll JCU 4-2
Winner
Swarthmore SWATSB22
5-1
3
Final
2
John Carroll JCU
4-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Swarthmore SWATSB22 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 6 1
John Carroll JCU 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 7 2

W: Meg Ozawa (2-1) L: Graves, Emily (0-2)

Danielle Orendi vs. Drew
John Carroll saw strong efforts in the circle, holding strong offenses at bay.

Game Recap: Softball | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Softball Drops Two by Identical 3-2 Scores in Third Day of Gene Cusic Classic

NAPLES, Fla. -- The third day of the Gene Cusic Classic delivered two games against strong foes for John Carroll Softball. 

Last season, Drew University tabbed a 24-15 record and Swarthmore College notched a 29-6 record, reaching the Centennial Conference title game. 

The Blue Streaks went toe-to-toe with both the Rangers and the Garnet, but dropped identical 3-2 losses in hard-fought ballgames at North Collier Regional Park in Naples, Florida. 

"Today was a competitive day for us, both programs are solid fundamentally and well-coached," said Head Coach Alex Lagesse. "I'm happy with how we approached the game today. We had opportunities but fell a bit short with execution."

Game 1
The Blue Streaks threatened in the first two innings in the morning opener. Kaylyn Odelli reached second with two outs in the first by virtue of a fielder's choice followed by a stolen base. But she moved no further. In the second, the Blue Streaks loaded the bases with two outs, thanks to a Gabby Hougan walk as well as singles by Melissa Smith and Kendall Trunzo. Unfortunately, Drew got an out to escape the jam.

In the bottom of the second, the Rangers threatened, getting runners on first and second with two outs. But Danielle Orendi garnered a strikeout to keep the game level entering the third. And in the third frame, both teams went quietly. 

The Rangers did not go so easily in the bottom of the fourth. Drew tallied a single to open the frame and got the runner to second on a stolen base, and the runner charged home on a single down the line. After Orendi got a couple outs, Drew tabbed another RBI single, this time to left center. Orendi secured the third out, but Drew carried a 2-0 lead into the fifth.

Drew went to the bullpen in the fifth, but Trunzo still go on board with a single to start the inning. She dashed to second on a wild pitch, creating a chance for JCU's bats. Drew got two outs, but couldn't cut down Kaylyn Odelli, as the sophomore stroked a single to left center, scoring Trunzo. Odelli soon stole second to put the tying run in scoring position, and Mackenzie Stease drew a walk. Gabby Hougan loaded the bases with a hard single to third. In stepped Kasyn Scarantine as a pinch hitter, and the grad student didn't disappoint, slotting an RBI single up the middle. Drew got out of the jam, but the Blue Streaks were back in it with a 2-2 tie. 

Emily Graves toed the circle to start the fifth and allowed one baserunner, but fired past the other three Rangers to keep it square. The Blue Streaks also threatened in the top of the sixth, as Trunzo walked and Gracie Bressoud singled. But despite a passed ball advancing both runners, Drew secured the third out. 

And in Drew's half-inning, the Rangers strung together a couple hits and scratched across a run to take the lead, 3-2. Hougan reached on an error with one out in the top of the seventh, but would go no farther, as the Rangers retired the next two Blue Streaks to secure the win. 

Missed opportunities defined the day's opener, as the Blue Streaks stranded 11 runners in the defeat. Trunzo enjoyed a nice game at the dish, tallying a 2-for-2 day with a walk, responsible for two of JCU's nine hits. 

Graves accepted the defeat after allowing one run on three hits. Orendi finished with 4 strikeouts in 4 innings of work, scattering four hits. 

Game 2
Brianna Callow and the Blue Streaks got through the first two innings fairly well, but Swarthmore came alive in the third. 

A pair of singles set up runners in scoring position for the Garnet. A wild pitch allowed the first run of the game to score, but Callow captured the last two outs to escape the jam. But Swarthmore did not relent, getting two runners in scoring position with one out in the fourth. Swarthmore scored a run on a sacrifice fly, but Mackenzie Stease cut off a throw to the plate and threw to Jess Lichota at third for the final out of the inning. Despite the nice play, JCU trailed, 2-0. 

John Carroll got one back in the bottom of the frame. Kaylyn Odelli singled up the middle and stole second to get in scoring position. A Jess Lichota shot up the middle scored Odelli, halving the lead entering the fifth frame.

After Callow cruised in the sixth, the Blue Streaks got to work. Alyssia Carmichael kicked things off with a single. After a JCU popout, Nina Scavelli advanced Carmichael to second with a groundout. So in stepped Kasyn Scarantine as a pinch hitter with two outs. The veteran delivered, hustling out a single on a hard-hit ball to second base. In the meantime, Lagesse wisely waved Carmichael home before the Swarthmore first baseman could get the ball home. And so, the Blue Streaks knotted it up at two entering the seventh. 

In the top of the inning, Swarthwore struck a critical blow. The Garnet got a 2-out single, and followed it up with a deep shot to left center. The RBI double set ahead Swarthmore, 3-2, despite Emily Graves escaping without giving up any more damage.

John Carroll looked to be in good shape to tie the game in their last ups. Lexie Genovese drew a hit by pitch and advanced to second on a Maddie Traub sac bunt, but Swarthmore got the JCU runner out on the base paths. Still, JCU didn't quit, as Trunzo tabbed a single up the middle and Gracie Bressoud reached base thanks to a wild pitch on a strikeout. 

And for a moment, it appeared that Carmichael had tied the game. The junior roped a ball down the left field line that touched the chalk before bounding left. At first, Trunzo charged home and the Blue Streak bench erupted in cheers. But the umpire called a foul ball, and deflated JCU's hopes. On the next pitch, Swarthmore got Carmichael, and the game was over. 

The Blue Streaks' pitchers finished with 6 strikeouts, as Callow and Graves combined for a solid game. JCU's hitters managed 7 hits, but stranded 6 runners. 

"Our pitchers were efficient and we made good adjustments at the plate," said Lagesse. "I thought those who came off the bench today, both in relief on the mound and to pinch hit, were great. They gave us a spark."

John Carroll will have the day off tomorrow before getting back to softball on Thursday, facing Haverford at 9 am and Pitt-Bradford at 11 am.  
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