By: Lance Thomas
BOCA RATON, Fla.—Lynn University’s softball team battled the #13 Rollins College Tars but came up short in both game of a Sunshine State Conference doubleheader on Sunday with a 9-0 loss in game one and then a 5-3 loss in game two.
Freshman Christina Carvatta received her first career start for Lynn (1-28, 0-6) and went 3-for-5 in game two of the doubleheader while another freshman, Kaci Vassallo, tallied two hits on the day.
In game one, the Tars raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on one hit, two walks and a Lynn fielding error.
Rollins added another run in the second to go up 4-0 on the Blue & White then five in the top of the fourth to possess a commanding 9-0 advantage.
Through three and two-thirds inning, Rollins starting pitcher, Amye McIntyre, had amassed a no hitter. Vassallo spoiled the no hitter in the fourth inning with a two-out single through the left side of the infield.
After a Rollins error in the fourth to put Kasey Murray on first and Vassallo on third, Bianca Savulak drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Lynn. However, the Knights could not find the key hit as the next batter grounded out the end the Lynn fourth.
McIntyre finished the game in the bottom of the fifth by forcing a Lynn ground out and two strike outs.
Murray took the start for Lynn and went one and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits, four runs with three walks and a strikeout. Missy Montgomery registered the final three and one-third innings for the Fighting Knights with five hits, five runs and a walk.
Callie Darlin took the circle for Lynn in game two and received some much needed run support from the Lynn offense in the first inning.
Carvatta led off for Lynn with a bunt single. Savulak then placed down a sacrifice bunt to move Carvatta to second. The Rollins Pitcher, Hope Bitzer, tried to retire Carvatta at second but her throw was not in time as all Fighting Knights were safe on the play.
Lauren Garceau then put a sac bunt in play to advance Carvatta and Savulak to third and second. The Rollins third baseman attempted to retire Carvatta at third but threw the ball up the left field line allowing Carvatta to score.
Murray then connected on an infield single to score Savulak and give the Fighting Knights a 2-0 advantage. Bitzer then forced a ground out and a strikeout to end the inning.
In the third inning, Rollins collected a walk, a double and a single to tie the game at two.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Lynn starter, Darlin, found herself in a hole after surrendering a leadoff double. Montgomery then took the circle in relief of Darlin and retired one batter but surrendered a single and a stolen base to put runners on second and third with one out.
Rollins right fielder Lawna Hunter then ripped a line shot at Garceau at short. Garceau snagged the ball and tossed to Van Casteren at third to double up Veronica Alred and end the Tars threat.
The Fighting Knights looked to capture the lead in the sixth inning after Garceau led off the frame with a single through the left side of the infield then moved to second on a Vassallo single up the middle.
Bitzer then forced two strikeouts and a foul out to end the Lynn threat in the sixth.
The Tars put their first runner on after a walk to start the seventh then scored her on a sacrifice fly. A Lynn error in the inning led to two more Rollins runs to give the Tars a 5-2 tilt.
In the bottom of the seventh Carvatta singled with two outs followed by Savulak reaching on an error. Garceau then ended the game on a ground out to short.
Darlin went four innings allowing just two runs and five hits with two strikeouts. Montgomery registered just three Tars’ hits and one earned run.