Geneseo cruises past Brockport in doubleheader
The Geneseo softball team continued their season with an impressive doubleheader victory against Brockport on Thursday, Apr. 27. These two wins came after a four-game skid where Geneseo dropped two straight doubleheaders against Cortland and the University of Rochester. The Brockport games ended with final scores of 6-0 and 9-1 while wrapping up in the sixth inning of the second game due to the run rule.
During the first game, the Knights came out to a quick start, scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning. The first run came via an RBI single by senior outfielder Olivia Fazio, allowing freshman infielder Brooke Fraas to cross the plate. Feeding off of the momentum, junior first baseman Lauren Gulick slapped a single to left field, giving senior right-fielder Samantha Martz time to score, and Geneseo an early 2-0 lead. Brockport was unable to recover, allowing three more runs in the inning, two on an error and the other being walked in. The Knights held a 5-0 lead after the second frame.
Geneseo was able to add more points in the fourth inning scoring one run. Junior infielder Rebecca Schwartz was credited with a sacrifice fly as the ball soared into right field. It was deep enough for senior infielder Leah VanDerwarker to score from third, giving Geneseo the 6-0 lead they would carry to victory. Geneseo scored six runs on just five hits, while senior pitcher Elizabeth Eberhardt recorded the win after pitching all seven innings, allowing only four hits to the Golden Eagles. Eberhardt’s record increased to an impressive 9-2 for the year and 18-6 in her career as a Knight.
Game two was more of the same for Geneseo, as they comfortably defeated Brockport 9-1 in another six-inning matchup. The first run came in the opening inning as VanDerwarker was able to score on a wild pitch. VanDerwarker was also responsible for the second run, which came about in the next inning. A double to right allowed Gulick to score from second, pushing the lead to 2-0 in favor of the Knights. The third and fourth innings were scoreless for both sides but Geneseo blew the game open in the fifth. Sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Schmitz grounded to shortstop, and VanDerwarker crossed the plate as the throw went to first. Martz was also able to join the party with an RBI single, scoring Schwartz.
Going into the sixth inning, Geneseo held a 4-0 lead. Brockport was able to show some life, scoring one run in the top half of the inning, but their dreams of a comeback were crushed by the Knights. They were able to score five runs in the bottom of the sixth, forcing the game to end earlier than expected. Junior infielder Anna Johnston came in to pinch-hit for Gulick and recorded a single up the middle, scoring sophomore outfielder Tori Guary. Schwartz continued her great day with a double to center field, scoring two runs, and giving the Knights a 7-1 lead. VanDerwarker scored on an error, and Fazio put the game away with an RBI single which scored Schwartz. As the Knights went up by eight, the game was called due to the run rule, and the Knights advanced to 17-14-1 for the year.
Schmitz pitched the entire game, working hard for six innings and earning her fourth win of the season. Allowing only five hits across six innings is no small feat, and the nine strikeouts were a nice addition for the sophomore. The two wins against Brockport were much needed for this Knights team, pushing them to 8-6 in SUNYAC play as they currently sit in fifth place in the standings. With four more conference games left in the regular season, Geneseo will look to move up the standings with victories over Plattsburgh and Potsdam.