Box Score March 19, 2009
Box Score
Raleigh, N.C. -
The Fordham softball team looked to gain some momentum heading into their conference opening games against Charlotte this weekend with a single game on Thursday at N.C. State. Despite a solid day at the plate by Samantha Pellechio, the Rams comeback effort fell just short, as the Wolfpack took a 6-4 decision from Fordham.
With the loss, Fordham is 16-10 on the year, while N.C. State improves to 11-9 overall.
Fordham grabbed the early lead in the top of the second inning, as Samantha Pellechio opened the frame with a single to right. After a pop up, Erin Fisher ripped a single through the left side, followed by a walk to Megan Waldron, which loaded the bases. Jessica Weckenman then plated Jessica Richards, who pinch ran for Pellechio, with a sacrifice fly to right.
The Rams extended their lead to 2-0 lead in the top of third inning, as Melissa Andrews started things with a single up the middle. She then moved to second on a sacrifice by Lindsey Kay Bright and to third on a fly ball by Mary Beth Puccio. Pellechio then looped a single into right, scoring Andrews from third.
The Wolfpack cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom half of the third, courtesy of two Fordham errors. Lauren Peters reached on an error by Pellechio, and was sacrificed to second by Alyssa Ishibashi. Bethaney Wells then hit a grounder to third, where the throw went wide, allowing Peters to score.
N.C. State then rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth to grab a 4-2 lead, highlighted by RBI-doubles by Claudia Cooper and Alyssa Allbritten and an RBI-single by Ishibashi.
The Wolfpack tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to lead, 6-2. N.C. State loaded the bases against Fordham reliever Beckah Wiggins, knocking her out of the game, which then brought in Chelsea Plimpton. Plimpton got the first two outs before her luck ran out, as Eliza Jacobellis and Allison Presnell connected for back-to-back RBI-singles to right to score both runs.
The Rams continued to stick around as Pellechio hit a solo home run down the left field line, her team-leading sixth of the year, to make it a 6-3 ballgame.
Fordham then threatened to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning. Weckenman started the seventh reaching on an error. After a fly out, Andrews drew a walk, putting runners at first and second. The Wolfpack struck out Bright, bring Puccio to the plate. Puccio hit a grounder to short, but the shortstop threw wide to third base, allowing Weckenman to score with Andrews taking third. Pellechio then walked to load the bases for Dearborn. With a 3-2 count, Dearborn hit a deep fly ball to center, but the centerfielder would catch it at the track to end the game.
Jen Mineau (7-6) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits in four innings of work. Plimpton did well out of the bullpen, allowing two hits in two innings of relief. At the plate, Pellechio was 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, while Weckenman, Andrews, and Fisher each had a hit.
The Rams will now open Atlantic 10 play on Sunday, March 22nd, as they play a doubleheader at Charlotte, beginning at noon.
