Myrtle Beach, S.C. (March 15) – The Stevenson softball team split its pair of contests at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic on Monday, battling through a 6–3 loss to FDU-Florham in the opening game of the day before responding with a strong 6–0 shutout victory over Centenary in game two, behind a Alexis Kirkessner shutout.
Game 1:
Stevenson wasted little time getting on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Olivia Munoz reached base and used aggressive base running to move into scoring position before crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly from Rebecca Maiorano, giving the Mustangs an early 1–0 advantage.
FDU-Florham answered in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of runs to take the lead. The Devils added another run in the third, but Stevenson quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame. After Munoz singled to spark the offense, Tessa Boswell delivered an RBI single to bring the Mustangs within one run at 3–2.
The Devils added another run in the fifth inning, but Stevenson again battled back. In the bottom of the inning, Christina Franco came through with a clutch pinch-hit RBI single, scoring Mya Lamp and trimming the deficit to 4–3 as the Mustangs stayed within striking distance.
FDU-Florham added two insurance runs in the sixth inning to extend the margin, and Stevenson continued to push offensively late in the game with base runners in the final frame, but the comeback attempt fell just short.
In the circle, Anna Sexton (1-3) started and pitched five innings before Ky Vaughn came on in relief.
Game 2:
Stevenson broke through in the bottom of the second inning to take the early lead. Emily Hamp reached base and later scored on a wild pitch to put the Mustangs on the board. Shortly after, Rebecca Maiorano reached first on an error, allowing Sierra Williams to cross the plate and extend the advantage to 2–0.
The Mustangs continued to pressure Centenary throughout the middle innings before breaking the game open in the fifth. Hamp sparked the rally with a triple to lead off the inning, setting the stage for Williams to drive her in with an RBI double. Maria Morsa followed with another RBI double to make it a four-run lead.
Stevenson continued its offensive surge as Mykaela Getz delivered an RBI single to bring home Morsa. Later in the inning, Maiorano added another run with an RBI single, plating Getz and pushing the Mustangs' lead to 6–0.
The Stevenson defense and pitching took over from there, holding Centenary scoreless for the remainder of the contest. Kirkessner tossed a complete-game shutout in the circle, allowing just six hits while striking out eight batters to secure the victory.
Stevenson will now look to it's final day of the Fastpitch Dreams Classic in Myrtle Beach, as they face Scranton on Tuesday, March 17 at 9am.
