SOFTBALL



MAY 9, 2003
BOB ZIADIE

KING'S FALLS TO DEFENDING NCAA CHAMPION ITHACA, 7-3

CORTLAND, NY -- For nearly three innings, the King's College softball team had defending national champion Ithaca College on the ropes with a 2-0 lead. 

After an error-filled third inning gave the Bombers new life, the Lady Monarchs eventually fell 7-3 in the opening round of the 2003 Division III National Tournament Friday at Cortland State University, Cortland, NY.

King's took a 1-0 first inning lead when Linda Manarchuk singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. After Jess Harvey reached base on an error, Manarchuck would score to give the Lady Monarchs the early advantage.

In the top of the third inning, Harvey reached base on a fielder's choice followed by a one-out single from Maria Zangardi. After Stacey Preambo's infield base hit loaded the bases, Sarah Genewski walked to bring home Harvey and give King's a 2-0 lead.

Things began to fall apart for King's in the bottom half of the third inning when three Lady Monarchs errors resulted in three Ithaca runs as the Bombers found new life, taking a 3-2 lead.

King's would respond with a run in the fourth when Cassy Shiffer singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Katie Seguin. Zangardi then ripped a single up the middle to bring home Shiffer and tie the score at 3-3.

But Ithaca (29-9) would also respond with a run in the fourth on an RBI single from Caitlyn Dulac. The Bombers added two more runs in the fifth on a solo home run from Liz Yentema and an RBI single by Kerri Barber to move ahead 6-3. The Bombers would add Dulac walked and later scored on a base hit from Kim Stephens for the final run of the game.

The game ended in frustrating fashion for the Lady Monarchs who had ample scoring opportunities and failed to capitalize. In all, King's left 10 runners on base as the Lady Monarchs fell to 24-10 on the year.

Zangardi led King's offensively with two hits. Sarah Genewski took the complete-game pitching loss, allowing nine hits and all seven runs, four which were earned, while also stroking a double.

Abby Hanrahan picked up the win for Ithaca, yielding seven hits and five walks while striking out seven batters. Yentema, Barber, and Leigh Bonkowski led the Bombers with two hits each.

 


King's College
133 North River Street  Wilkes-Barre, PA  18711
1 (888) KINGS PA

Questions or comments to:  Bob Ziadie, King's College Sports Information Director
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