ANNVILLE, Pa. – The top-seed Lebanon Valley College softball team is advancing to the Championship round of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Championship, as the club defeated third-seeded DeSales University 5-1 on Friday, May 3 at the LVC Softball Park.
Lindsey McCurdy helped lead the way with three RBIs at the plate while
Jordan Walter delivered a strong pitching performance.
Walter began the contest by retiring the side in order in the top of the first inning, recording the third out on a grounder to shortstop. The Dutchmen struck first in the bottom of the first, taking an early 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs.
Megan Heard led off the frame with a single to left-center field before advancing to second base on a sacrifice bunt by
Lexi Smith and moving up to third on a groundout. This was followed by McCurdy lining a two-out RBI single through the left side, driving in Heard. Later in the inning,
Erin Pattillo hit a ball to third base and reached on a throwing error, allowing McCurdy to cross the plate.
DeSales responded in the top of the second inning, narrowing the score to 2-1 on an RBI double down the left-field line. The Flying Dutchmen answered back with three runs in the bottom of the second, extending their advantage to 5-1. The club got runners on first and second base after Heard singled up the middle and stole second before Smith drew a walk. McCurdy then drove a two-run double to left field, scoring Heard and Smith. This was followed by McCurdy advancing to third base on a wild pitch before crossing the plate on an RBI single to right field by
Sam Burns.
Walter pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third, posting a zero after Burns made a sliding catch on a line drive to left field, Pattillo caught a liner to third base, and Heard fielded a groundout to shortstop. The Bulldogs then had runners on second and third base with no outs in the top of the fourth inning, but Lebanon Valley got out of the frame by turning a clutch triple play. The play began with a groundout to Smith at second, who threw to first baseman
Julia Craig. The runner from second base ran toward third on the grounder, prompting Craig to throw to Heard to tag out the runner before she also tagged out the runner who attempted to score from third.
Walter tossed another scoreless frame in the top of the fifth inning before retiring the side in order in the top of the sixth with three groundouts, maintaining LVC's 5-1 lead. The senior pitcher then closed out the ballgame with three groundouts to Smith at second base in the top of the seventh inning, securing Lebanon Valley's 5-1 win over DeSales.
Inside the Box Score
- The Flying Dutchmen earned their third consecutive appearance in the conference Championship round.
- McCurdy picked up two base hits with a double while tying a career-high three RBIs and matching a season-high and game-most two runs scored. The senior also stole a base during the win.
- Walter improved her record to 18-5 in a complete-game effort.
- Heard recorded two hits to extend her hitting streak to six games while tying a game-high and career-high two runs scored. The first time the sophomore scored in the contest marked her 50th career run scored. Heard also stole a base and tied a season-high four putouts at shortstop.
- Burns tallied two hits with an RBI while stealing two bases.
- Smith walked and scored a run while registering a season-high six assists at second base.
- Pattillo and Catherine Stone both stole a base.
- Nicole Kratz and Katie Muller each drew a walk.
Up Next
Lebanon Valley will compete in the Championship round against third-seeded DeSales at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4 at the LVC Softball Park. The Dutchmen win the MAC Freedom Championship with one victory, while DeSales will need two wins to take the Championship. If necessary, the teams will face off again at noon.
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