MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Stevenson softball team (3-2) took Ithaca (1-1) to extra innings but ultimately lost the contest 1-0 Sunday afternoon at the Fast Pitch Dreams Spring Classic.
 
Marissa Heuer pitched another strong game to start her 2023 campaign, allowing only six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in the eight inning affair. Mackenzie Tobler and Megan Hamp were the only Mustangs to record hits as Ithaca's Anna Cornell tossed a complete game shutout.
 
The Mustangs had a chance to strike first in the third inning with runners on the corners and only one out. A sharp hit grounder to the shortstop seemed destined to score the game's first run, but the Bombers recorded a 6-3-2 double play to retire the side and prevent a run from scoring.
 
Ithaca earned a chance to strike in the bottom half of the inning. With a runner on third and two outs, Rebecca Henry tracked down a fly ball in left to end the inning and keep the score knotted at zero.
 
A pitching duel ensued with neither pitcher relenting and both defenses standing strong. Only  two runners reached second base over the next four innings before the extra-inning rule took effect.
 
In the eight, the Mustangs managed to move runners to second and third with two outs but were unable to convert the go-ahead run. In the bottom half of the inning, the Bombers managed to move runners to second and third with nobody out. Allison Dell'Orto picked up the game winning RBI single to give Ithaca its first win of the season.
 
What's Next
The second game of the day against St. Joseph's (CT) was canceled due to rain. The Mustangs will return to action on March 14 with a 1pm first pitch against Wilson. The Fast Pitch Dreams Classic will continue that evening with a 5pm game against UMass Boston.