WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Shenandoah University softball team opened its 2023 season Thursday night with an 8-7 non-league victory at Marymount University.
In a game that was delayed by 2.5 hours because of a mixup with the umpires, Shenandoah (1-0) rallied from a 6-2 deficit with two runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh.
IN BRIEF
Lily Richichi, the No. 9 hitter in the SU lineup, was the hero by driving in a combined four runs in her final two at-bats to push the Hornets past Marymount (0-1).
Down to their last out and with the bases loaded, Richichi laced a two-run single to left to put SU up one, 8-7.
In the bottom of the seventh,
Kayla Stephenson (1-0) worked around a pair of two-out singles to induce a groundout to first to complete the comeback victory.
In the sixth, Richichi got the Hornets rally started with a two-run bloop single to right to make the score 6-4 in favor the Saints.
Marymount scored one in the bottom half of the frame, putting Shenandoah in a position to need three runs to extend the contest.
The first four SU hitters reached base safely on a pair of walks, a
Tiffany Bower RBI double, and a
Sarah Medellin RBI single to right.
After a strikeout and a pop out, Stephenson walked to bring Richichi to the plate.
Bower and
Arlene Miller both matched Richichi with two hits.
Stephenson pitched five innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out four.
GAME TWO
With the start delayed until 7:15, game two was postponed. SU will host the Saints in that makeup contest.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah opens its home slate with a 1 p.m. non-league doubleheader Sunday versus Misericordia.
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