Box Score March 8, 2013
Central Michigan Box Score | Tennessee Tech Box Score
Clearwater, Fla. -
Looking to build upon the upset win over Texas, Friday's opening day of the USF Under Armour Showcase gave the Fordham softball team a few more building blocks in the right direction, led by two stellar pitching efforts. In game one, Michele Daubman struck out a career-high nine batters in a 7-1 win over Central Michigan, while Jamie LaBovick tossed a complete game, seven-hitter in a 6-0 win over Tennessee Tech.
With the two wins, Fordham improved to 8-9 on the year.
¬In the opening game of the tournament, a four-run outburst in the fifth inning and a career-best performance from Michele Daubman earned Fordham a 7-1 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Neither offense had much to show over the first three and a half innings, as each team had just two hits.
Fordham cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, when Elise Fortier drew a walk, moved to third on a Gabby Luety single, and scored on a single from Kayla Lombardo.
Central Michigan knotted the game at one in the fifth, but Fordham quickly struck back in the bottom of the frame with four runs to take a 5-1 lead. After Fordham loaded the bases on two errors and a walk, pinch-hitter Taylor Pirone ripped a two-run single to regain the lead, scoring Cora Ianiro and Claudia Law.
A one-out walk to Luety loaded the bases later in the frame, leading to a two-run single by Lombardo, increasing the lead to 5-1.
Fordham closed out the scoring in the bottom of the sixth, as the Rams loaded the bases for the third time in the game. This time, it was a fielder's choice and singles by Sammi Smith and Fortier that loaded the bases. Luety then pounded out a ground rule double to score Jamie LaBovick and Smith for the 7-1 edge.
The seven runs were more than enough for Daubman against the Chippewas. Daubman improved to 2-3 on the season, as she struck out a career-high nine batters over the complete game win, allowing one unearned run on three hits.
At the plate, Lombardo finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Luety was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Smith and LaBovick both finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
In game two, LaBovick picked up right where Daubman left off, tossing a complete game, seven-hit shutout, while the offense pounded out 13 hits in a 6-0 win over Tennessee Tech.
The Rams scored the opening run of the game in the top of the second, when Daubman connected for a solo home run to left, her second of the season.
Fordham then tacked on three runs in the third inning to open up a 4-0 edge. Fortier started the rally with a single up the middle, the first of three hits in the game for the junior third baseman. Luety followed with a double to right center to move Fortier to third and put two runners in scoring position. Just like in game one, Lombardo continued to drive in runs, lacing a two-run double to left center. One out later, Lombardo scored on a double from Daubman to make it a four-run lead.
Tennessee Tech tried to get back into the contest, loading the bases in the third and fourth innings, but the Fordham pitching and defense came big to end both threats. In the third, Lombardo caught a soft pop up and touched second for an unassisted double play to end that inning, while LaBovick struck out Melody Christian in the fourth to stop the Golden Eagles from scoring.
The Rams added a pair of insurance markers in the sixth. Fortier led off with a single and moved to third on Luety's second double of the game. Both runners then scored on an RBI-ground out by Lombardo and an RBI-single by Daubman, respectively.
LaBovick (5-6) handled the rest, posting her second shutout of the season. She gave up seven hits and two walks in the game, while striking out four.
Offensively, four Rams ended the contest with three-hit games. Luety was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored, while Daubman was 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBI. LaBovick helped her own cause with a 3-for-4 night at the plate with Fortier going 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Lombardo registered her second three-RBI game of the day, to go with a double and a run scored.
The Fordham softball team continues play at the USF Under Armour Showcase on Saturday, March 9th with an 11:45 AM contest against Western Michigan and a 2:30 PM game versus Youngstown State.
