MAY 6 2005
KING’S GARNERS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE FREEDOM CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TITLE
(Edwardsville, PA) - King’s College won their sixth straight Freedom Conference softball title with a 2-1 win over Lycoming College in the championship game on Saturday afternoon at Wilkes University’s Ralston Complex.
The win improves the Lady Monarchs to 31-10 and clinches a sixth consecutive berth in the upcoming NCAA Division III Championships. Lycoming sees their season come to a close with an overall record of 17-10.
King’s scored single runs in both the first and second innings to take a lead they would never relinquish. Kelley Vaxmonsky led off the first with a walk, and one out later, Nikki Kotula also drew a base on balls to put runners at first and second. Stacey Preambo reached on a Lycoming error, which allowed Vaxmonsky to score and make it 1-0.
In the Lady Monarchs' second frame, Sarah Genewski walked to start the frame and advanced to second on a one-out single by Vaxmonsky. After Lycoming hurler Morgan Mantle fanned Justine Maggio for the second out, Kotula slapped a single to drive home Genewski and provide King’s with a 2-0 advantage.
Lycoming would answer with a run in the fifth to cut the lead to 2-1. With two outs Dana Marek singled and Marianne Simpson reached on an error that pushed Marek to third. Christine Carolselli would plate Marek with a single.
The Warriors had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the sixth. Melissa McCoy led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice by Amy Curry. After Sarah Longino walked, Genewski fired a wild pitch that allowed McCoy to move to third. Kotula replaced Genewski in the circle for King’s and got Mantle to pop out for the second out of the inning. The sophomore followed with a strikeout of Betsy Reese to end the Lycoming threat.
Genewski worked 5.1 innings and surrendered five hits and one unearned run to pick up the win. Kotula pitched the final 1.2 innings and did not allow a hit to notch the save. Mantle, who gave up only five hits and one earned run, suffered the loss despite striking out nine.
Vaxmonsky, Kotula, Kristin Brady, Mari Valonis and Kate Shiffer had a single each for King’s. McCoy had two hits for Lycoming. A double by Simpson and singles by Carolselli and Marek were the other hits for the Warriors.
Kate Shiffer was named the tournament's most valuable player after hitting .714 (5-7) with two home runs, a double, four RBI, and three runs scored. Genewski was 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA in 13.1 innings of work.
King's will now await word on who and when the team will play when the NCAA regionals open next weekend.
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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