NO. 25 SOFTBALL ESCAPES ELIMINATION; DOWNS DOMINICAN IN NCAA'S, 5-0

Box Score vs. Dominican - May 6, 2012

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (May. 6, 2012) - The Molloy College softball team needs to win two games against Dominican College on Sunday to advance to the NCAA Division II East Super Regional against Southern Connecticut State University. The Lions have accomplished half of the feat so far, besting the Chargers 5-0, at the C.W. Post Softball Complex in Brookville, N.Y.

Junior Megan Butterworth (Bellmore, N.Y.) put on another spectacular showing for Molloy, holding Dominican to just four hits and avoiding any scoring threats through a full seven innings of play. She struck out six Chargers in the must-win battle, ensuring that the Lions would advance to Game Seven of the East 2 Sub-Regional. Dominican could have advanced to the Super Regional with a victory in Game Six, but now both clubs are in a win-or-go-home situation in Game Seven.

Butterworth retired the side in order in the first inning, before the Lions tallied two runs against Chargers’ pitcher Katrina Pistilli (Staten Island, N.Y.). Junior Jeana Frey (Island Park, N.Y.) led off with a single to centerfield, before Butterworth laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Frey to second. Junior Haley Calderwood (Lake Elsinore, N.Y.) later doubled to left-center, providing time for Frey to round third and score.

A single from sophomore Nicolette Sinagra (Brooklyn, N.Y.) capped the scoring for the inning, as her hit plated Calderwood for a 2-0 lead.

Butterworth faced just four batters in the top of the second, inducing three pop-ups, while giving up a walk. The Lions tacked on another score in their half of the frame. Sophomore Lauren Alexander (Huntington, N.Y.) singled through the left side, before senior Megan Hutnick (Lancaster, Calif.) successfully sacrificed her to second. A passed ball landed Alexander on third, and Frey stepped up to smack an RBI single to left field, sending Alexander across home plate for a 3-0 lead.

The Chargers managed their first hit in the third inning, but were unable to make use of it as the next three batters did not reach base. Molloy scored again in the fourth frame. Alexander and Hutnick both reached base, then Alexander stole third and Hutnick advanced to second on an errant throw. Frey then smacked a single through the right side, scoring Alexander and moving Hutnick to third.

Butterworth, who also sits at eighth in all of Division II in sacrifice hits per game, subsequently connected for a fly ball to centerfield, outing herself and allowing Hutnick to score the Lions’ fifth run of the day. Butterworth retired the side in order in the next half inning, and faced just four hitters in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the shutout for Molloy.

On the day, Frey hit 3-for-4 with a team-best two RBI. Sinagra went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Butterworth earned her 21st victory of the year, and the Lions improved to 45-11 in 2012. Dominican fell to 39-16.

Both teams will face off in Game Seven at 3:10 on Sunday. The winner advances to the East Super Regional against Southern Connecticut on May. 11-12, while the loser’s season will come to an end.

For more information about the game, please continue to check www.MolloyLions.com, and follow the Lions on Twitter at @MolloySports.