ANNVILLE, Pa. ­­– The top-seeded Lebanon Valley College softball team scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, powering the club to an 8-0 victory in five innings over fourth-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in its first matchup of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Championship on Thursday afternoon at the LVC Softball Park. The Dutchmen posted a balanced effort, receiving several contributions at the plate and a strong pitching performance from Erin Sinatra.

Sinatra began the contest with a shutout top of the first inning for the Flying Dutchmen, striking out the first two batters before getting a pop out to Megan Heard at shortstop. Lebanon Valley then opened the scoring with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking a 7-0 lead over the Devils. The club got the frame started with a lead-off walk by Heard and a single to shortstop by Lexi Smith, putting runners on the corners. Smith then stole second before Lindsey McCurdy later lined a one-out, two-run single to right-center field, plating Heard and Smith. 

McCurdy got into scoring position by stealing second base before coming home to score on Sam Burns' RBI triple to right field, making it a 3-0 game. Erin Pattillo followed this by sending an RBI double down the left-field line, knocking in Burns. Pattillo stole a base as well, advancing to third with one out. Katie Muller then hit a two-out RBI single to center field, driving in Pattillo. Maddy Gronback was the next batter for LVC and singled to center field, putting runners on first and third. This led to Heard's RBI single through the right side, scoring Muller. The Dutchmen capped off the scoring with Smith's RBI single down the left-field line, bringing home Gronback to put the club ahead 7-0 against FDU-Florham.

Sinatra followed this by striking out the side in order in the top of the second inning, maintaining Lebanon Valley's seven-run advantage. The senior pitched another scoreless inning in the top of the third, registering a groundout to shortstop, a strikeout swinging, and a foul out to Pattillo at third base. The Flying Dutchmen tacked on a run in the bottom of the third inning, taking an 8-0 lead. Muller led off the frame with a double to left field before moving up to third on a sacrifice bunt by Gronback. Heard then sent a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in Muller. 

After Sinatra posted another zero in the top of the fourth inning, Burns hit a two-out single through the left side for LVC in the bottom of the fourth. Burns followed this by swiping second for her 30th stolen base of the year, setting Lebanon Valley's single-season record. Sinatra then tossed another shutout inning in the top of the fifth, closing out the 8-0 win for the Dutchmen. The senior pitcher recorded a pop out to Smith in shallow right field and a strikeout before securing the victory with a flyout to Burns in left field. 

Inside the Box Score

• Lebanon Valley scored seven runs on eight hits in the bottom of the first inning.
• Sinatra improved her record to 14-2, striking out seven batters in a complete-game, five-inning shutout. 
• Burns stole two bases, bringing her season total to 30 and setting Lebanon Valley's single-season record. She was previously tied for the record after swiping 29 bags in 2023, which matched Sammy Bost's mark in 2016. Burns also tied a game-high two hits with a triple, while registering an RBI and a run scored. 
• McCurdy tied game-highs with two base hits and two RBIs. The senior also scored once and stole a base. 
• Heard recorded a walk, a hit, two RBIs, and a run scored.
• Muller's two runs scored were a game-high and tied a season-high while her two hits tied both a game-high and season-high. The first-year hit a double during the contest and also drove in a run. 
• Smith tied a game-high two hits while tallying an RBI and crossing the plate once. The junior also stole a base. 
• Pattillo hit an RBI double while stealing a base and scoring a run. 
• Gronback picked up a hit and a run scored. 

Up Next
Lebanon Valley will return to action at noon on Friday, as the program will host third-seeded DeSales University for game three of the MAC Freedom Championship at the LVC Softball Park. DeSales defeated Misericordia 4-2 in the first game of the day. The winner of the contest will advance to Saturday's Championship round, which begins at 1 p.m. while the loser will play in an elimination game later on Friday afternoon. 

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