APRIL 10, 2003
BOB ZIADIEKING'S SOFTBALL SWEEPS WILKES, 9-1, 4-1
WILKES-BARRE -- Sarah Genewski pitched a complete game victory in the opener, then picked up the save in the nightcap as the King's College softball team posted a key MAC Freedom Conference doubleheader sweep over cross-town foe Wilkes University Thursday at Betzler Fields.
King's won the first game 9-1 in five innings before holding on for a 4-1 triumph in the second game. In the process, King's improved to 16-6 overall and 7-1 in conference play. Wilkes fell to 7-10 and 3-7 in conference action.
In the opener, King's took a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Genewski walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kristin Brady. Genewski would move to third on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI single from Cassy Shiffer. After a single by Linda Manarchuck, Jess Harvey drilled a two-run triple to centerfield to push across two runs.
The Lady Monarchs would score four runs in the fourth when Katie Seguin reached base on an error and would move to third on a single by Manarchuck. Seguin would then score on a wild pitch as Manarchuck moved to second base. After another wild pitch moved Manarchuck to third, the lady Monarch junior would score on a fielder's choice by Harvey. After a double by Christen Piccola, Maria Zangardi lofted a sacrifice fly to score Harvey from third. Piccola would later score on a wild pitch to give King's a 7-0 lead.
Wilkes would push across its lone run in the fifth inning when Carly Streznecky singled and scored on a double from Melissa Babcock to cut the margin to 7-1.
King's would end the game in the bottom half of the fifth with a pair of runs. Brady doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch. After an RBI double by Seguin pushed the score to 8-1, the game would end on a bizarre play. Manarchuck was called out on strikes for the first King's out of the inning, but Wilkes hurler Maryellen Korty mistakenly thought the inning was over and began to walk to the dugout, tossing the ball to the ground. Seguin alertly ran to third before Wilkes' Jan Nunemacher picked up the ball and attempted to throw the King's senior out. But the throw was errant, allowing Seguin to score from third with the game-ending run as the eight-run mercy rule was invoked.
Manarchuck led King's offensively with a 2-for-three effort and score two runs. Harvey was 1-for-3 with three RBI. Genewski improved to 8-4 with the pitching victory, allowing five hits while striking out four.
Streznecky was 2-for-3 for Wilkes while Korty took the pitching loss, allowing eight hits and all nine runs, five which were earned.
In the nightcap, Wilkes took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Kerry Zellner belted a solo home run. King's tied the score with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Harvey singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Stacey Preambo.
King's would take a 2-1 lead in the third when Seguin drew a bases-loaded walk to score Zangardi, who led off the inning with a single. The score would remain 2-1 until the sixth inning when Seguin walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Manarchuck. Harvey was intentionally walked for the second time in the game to give King's runners at first and second with one out. After a walk to Ashley Sullivan loaded the bases, Zangardi lofted a long fly ball to right field. But Wilkes' Maria lost the ball in the sun allowing Zangardi to drive home two runs with a double and increase the Lady Monarch lead to 4-1
In Wilkes' final at-bats, Brooke Shreaves drew a leadoff walk and Kim Graver reached base on an error. King's coach Lisa Gigliello would then pull starter Megan Adams fin favor of Genewski. After Leora Kliest flied to left, Nunemacher reached base on an infield error to load the bases with one out. Ciechoski then grounded to second when Preambo threw home to force out Shreaves at the plate for the second out. Andrea Dominick then grounded to Preambo to end the Wilkes rally.
Seguin led King's at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort while Zangardi was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Harvey was 1-for-2 and score a pair of runs while
Adams improved to 4-0 with the victory, allowing four hits with three strikeouts while Genewski picked up the save.
Wilkes' hurler Jen Trate took the loss in allowing eight hits and four runs, two which were earned.
King's College
133 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
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Questions or comments to: Bob Ziadie, King's College Sports Information Director
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