APRIL 29, 2006
KING'S SOFTBALL CLINCHED MAC FREEDOM TOP SEED WITH SWEEP OF FDU
WILKES-BARRE -- The King's College softball team clinched the top seed for next weekend's MAC Freedom Conference playoffs as the Lady Monarchs posted a doubleheader sweep of visiting FDU-Florham Saturday at Betzler Fields.King's won the first game 4-0 before taking the second contest 3-2.
With the win, King's improved to 33-5 overall and 12-2 in Freedom Conference play. FDU, meanwhile, fell to18-14 and 6-8 in conference games.
King's, which will look to win an unprecedented seventh straight Freedom title, as the top seed despite the possibility of finishing tied with Wilkes at 12-2, which played a late afternoon doubleheader against Drew.
King's would finish ahead of Wilkes by virtue of the MAC tiebreaking criteria. The deciding criteria was King's season series sweep over from third-seeded Lycoming, while Wilkes and Lycoming split their two-game series.
In the first game, King's took a 2-0 first inning lead when Justine Maggio was hit by a pitch and Mari Valonis drew a one-out walk. Kate Shiffer then drilled a two-run double to left field to get the Lady Monarchs on the board.
King's added a run in the third inning when Abbey Knoblauch singled and moved to third when Nikki Kotula reached base on an error. Valonis then lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Knoblauch and give the Lady Monarchs a 3-0 led.
King's would pus across the final ruin of the game in the fifth when Maggio singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on an FDU error following a Nikki Kotula singe to left field.
Maggio and Shiffer led King's with two hits each while Kotula earned the pitching victory. The junior hurler allowed just four hits in seven innings, striking out two batters.
In the nightcap, FDU took a 1-0 first inning lead when Kristen Olah walked and scored on a double by Jess Cunningham..
but King's responded with a three-run second inning. Valonis led off with a double and Julie Bidwell and Cassy Shiffer both walked to load the bases. Caitlyn McAndrew then doubled down the left field line to bring home two runs. Leanne Harvey would then reach base on an error, allowing Shiffer to score from third as King's took a 3-1 lead.
FDU would add a run in the fifth when Kelly Nover singled and scored on a base hit by Amanda Morrison.
Valonis and Harvey led King's with two hits each while Kelsey Shreaves earned the pitching decision for the Lady Monarchs. Shreaves scattered seven hits and allowed both runs while striking out three batters.
King's will close out the regular-season Monday when the lady Monarchs travel to face York College in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader.
The Freedom Conference Tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at Wilkes University.
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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