APRIL 26, 2006
KING'S SOFTBALL SWEEPS DREW, IMPROVES TO 29-5
MADISON, NJ -- The King's College softball team continued its quest to earn a top-seeded in the upcoming Freedom Conference playoffs as the Lady Monarchs posted a doubleheader sweep of host Drew University Wednesday in Madison, NJ.
With the win, King's improved to 29-5 overall and 10-2 in conference play and remained deadlocked with Wilkes atop the Freedom standings. Drew slipped to 11-20 and 4-6 on the year.
In the opener, King's rode the arm and bat of Nikki Kotula who tossed a complete-game four-hitter while striking out nine batters. Kotula also aided her own cause by going 2-for-3 at the plate. Abbey Knoblauch was 1-for-3 with two runs and belted a fifth inning solo home run. Mari Valonis, Becky Loring, and Cassy Shiffer all added RBI's.
In the second game with the score tied 3-3 in the seventh inning, Ashley Sullivan led off the inning with a walk and stole second base. After a single by Knoblauch moved Sullivan to third, Kotula followed with an infield out to bring home Sullivan with the go-ahead run. After Valonis, King's leading hitter, was walked intentionally, with two out, Kate Shiffer delivered a clutch three-run home run over the centerfield fence to give King's a 7-3 lead. Drew would add an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh as King's held on to register the sweep.
Justine Maggio was 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the fifth inning while Valonis added a solo shot, her 10th of the year, in the fourth inning. Kate Shiffer was 2-for-2 on the day for King's. Amanda Rizner picked up the pitching victory in relief, tossing the final two innings and allowing one hit and one unearned run.
King's will travel to Elmira, NY Thursday to face Elmira College in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader. The Lady Monarchs will then play its final home games of the season Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against FDU-Florham.
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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