Softball Drops First Two Games at Nutter Collegiate Classic

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SDSU Box Score | Cal Poly Box Score
 
Day one of the 2014 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic proved to be a rough one for the Fordham softball squad, as the Rams fell to San Diego State, 5-4, and to Cal Poly, 10-4.

The Rams are now 5-5 on the season, while San Diego State moved to 9-2 with Cal Poly now 5-7.

In the opening game of the day, Fordham put together a late rally but came up short against San Diego State, 5-4.
 
San Diego State, who is receiving votes in the top 25 poll, sent their ace Danielle O'Toole to the circle against Fordham's Michele Daubman.
 
The Rams would strike first in the third inning, as Brianna Turgeon led off the frame with a double to center field.  After a pair of outs put Turgeon at third, Amy Van Hoven hit a short ground ball to short that couldn't be handled, allowing Turgeon to score from third.
 
The Aztecs responded right away in the fourth, when Patrice Jackson connected on a two-run home run to right center, her fifth of the season.
 
San Diego State increased its lead to 4-1 in the fifth on an RBI-triple by Katie Mathis and an RBI-single from Dominique Dinner, which ended Daubman's game in the circle.  Rachel Gillen replaced Daubman in circle and got out of the fifth without further damage.
 
The Aztecs added another run in the sixth to push the lead to 5-1, on an RBI-ground out from Monica Downey.
 
The Rams looked to rally back in the bottom of the frame, as Fordham loaded the bases with no outs.  Gabby Luety started the frame with a single down the left field line, and was pinch run for by Brianna Ciuffi.  Michele Daubman then knocked a single off the pitcher with Paige Ortiz drawing a walk to load the bases.  However, a base running error on a flyout would double off Daubman at second for a double play, and stop the rally.
 
With the game still at 5-1, Fordham looked to rally again as Cora Ianiro and Sydney Canessa connected for back-to-back singles to start the seventh.  After a fielder's choice put runners at the corners, Elise Fortier drove home Ianiro with a double to left, making it a 5-2 score.  After a strikeout, Daubman singled down the right field, scoring both Van Hoven and Fortier, to pull Fordham with one.  The Fordham comeback would stop there though as Ortiz grounded out to second to end the game.
 
For Fordham, Daubman (3-3) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in 4.2 innings pitched.   Gillen threw the final 2.1 innings giving up one unearned run on two hits with two strikeouts.  At the plate, Daubman was 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Fortier was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.  Ianiro was also 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.
 
In game two, the Rams bolted out to a 4-0 lead in the first, but four costly errors would give Cal Poly a 10-4 victory.
 
Fordham jumped immediately on Cal Poly starting pitcher Chloe Wurst.  Canessa led off with a double to right center, followed by a single up the middle from Amy Van Hoven.  Fortier then busted out the long ball, as she connected for her third home run of the season, just sneaking inside the left field foul pole.  Luety made it a 4-0 game, going back-to-back with a solo home run of her own to left.  It was Luety second of the season.
 
The Rams held the lead until the bottom of the fourth, as Cal Poly sent nine batters to the plate, netting five runs.  Cal Poly registered two of the runs on errors, two on a two-run single by Kim Westlund, and the final one on an RBI-double by Emily Ceccacci.
 
The Mustangs added to the lead with three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to finish with the 10-4 win.
 
Daubman (3-4) took the loss in relief, allowing four runs, all unearned, on three hits.  Lauren Quense made the start, allowing one unearned run on five hits with three strikeouts.  Gillen gave up three runs, two of which were earned, on two hits and two walks in 1.1 innings of relief, with Patti Maloney throwing the final inning.
 
At the plate, Fortier was 1-for-1 with a home run, three RBI, and three walks, while Luety was 1-for-3 with a home run.  Canessa and Van Hoven also had two hits apiece.
 
The Rams will continue play at the Nutter Collegiate Classic on Friday with games against BYU and 16^th-ranked Missouri.