Farmingdale State Escapes From Softball on Opening Day

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) softball team was one out away with no one on from a season-opening victory over Farmingdale State College (2-0, 2-0 Skyline), but the reigning Skyline Champions assembled a three-run rally and handed the Bears 4-2 and 7-1 setbacks on opening day Saturday afternoon.

Junior Jessica Mecham knocked three hits on the day to pace the Bears (0-2, 0-2 Skyline) offensively and went the distance in the circle in the opener before taking the hard-luck loss.

Game 1: Farmingdale State 4, St. Joseph's 2

After two scoreless frames, the Rams drew first blood on a Lyndsey Shaw leadoff double, who later scoring on a sacrifice fly.

The Bears loaded the bases in the fourth after Alexis Buchanan wore a pitch followed by back-to-back singles from Casey Bennett and Mecham. Isabella Calabrese also was hit by a pitch to bring home Buchanan, knotting the game at 1-all, and the Bears threatened for more but left the bases loaded.

SJC went ahead in the fifth after a Sierra Bedrin leadoff walk and two Ram errors moved her to third where she scored on a Bennett sacrifice fly.

Holding on to a 2-1 lead headed to the final frame, Mecham retired the first two batters quickly, but a Lexie Collard single found its way through the right side and turned the lineup over and the defending champs knocked three more hits to push across the deciding three runs.

In the bottom half, a two-out single by Buchanan brought the tying run to the plate, but the Bears would go down swinging as the Rams escaped with the win.

Mecham finished 2-for-3 at the plate and in the circle allowed three earned runs, striking out one.

Game 2: Farmingdale State 7, St. Joseph's 1

The Rams scored first once again posting a solo run in the first on a Jessica Lombardo sacrifice fly. Farmingdale moved ahead 5-0 scoring in pairs in the third and fourth innings, which would be all the run support Rams starter Christina Loeffler would need, holding the Bears hitless through five.

SJC manufactured a run in the fourth after Bedrin led off with a walk, stole second, and scored on an error.

Calabrese spoiled the no-hitter with a single to lead off the sixth and Arianna Heinsch and Mecham both singled in the seventh. Heinsch recorded her first collegiate hit in her first plate appearance.

Allison Kaspar took the loss in the circle in the start, striking out one. Gabriella Salvador tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits and striking out one.

On Deck

The Bears will meet the Rams again, wrapping up their four-game set on Sunday with another doubleheader starting at noon. Links to watch the game can be found on SJCBears.com.