Waskewicz's grand slam leads Salisbury over SUNY Plattsburgh
SALISBURY, Md. - Junior shortstop Kelly Waskewicz connected on a grand slam home run in the second inning to help lead the Salisbury University softball team to a 5-1 victory over SUNY Plattsburgh on Thursday afternoon at Sea Gull Field. This game was a make-up from Sunday's postponement due to rain and poor field conditions.
Waskewicz (3-for-3) led the way for Salisbury (9-4) as the All-American had three of SU's eight hits on the day. Waskewicz was a triple shy of the cycle as the junior hit a single, double and home run in the win. Senior pitcher Stacy Davis helped her own cause with two hits while senior outfielder Meaghan O'Gara (one run) banged out a single in the second inning to extend her hitting streak to 12 consecutive games.
SU broke open the game in the second inning as the Sea Gulls loaded the bases against Plattsburgh starting pitcher Heather Loughran. Davis beat out an infield single with two outs and moved over when junior outfielder Jen Cahall walked. O'Gara loaded the bases on a single to left field to set the table for Waskewicz. The junior shortstop smashed a long drive off Loughran over the left field fence to give SU the early 4-0 lead.
The Sea Gulls tacked on another run in the third inning. Junior catcher Lauren Brenneman singled to lead off the inning and moved over on a sacrifice bunt by senior second baseman Stacey Malarkey. Junior first baseman Ali Ritter reached on a fielding error by Plattsburgh second baseman Amy Woo which allowed Brenneman to score.
Davis (5-2) was outstanding on the mound for SU as the co-captain dropped her season ERA to 2.80. Davis worked four scoreless innings as she allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three Cardinal hitters. The Westminster, Md., native has only given up three runs in her past 18 innings pitched. Freshman Erika Brittingham came on in the fifth inning to relieve Davis and threw three innings. Brittingham limited the Cardinals to just one hit on three hits as she struck out two.
The Cardinals were led by Nicole Diemer and Danielle Gjergji as they both hit one double. Diemer scored Plattsburgh's only run in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Gjergji to center field. Cardinal batters Kara Imai and Tanya Fedyshyn both had one hit apiece in the loss. Loughran was tagged with the loss after she pitched three innings where she gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits, walked one and struck out two.
The Sea Gulls will next host the 2009 Salisbury University Invitational that begins tomorrow (Friday, March 20) and will run through Saturday, March 21. SU will turn back around and face Plattsburgh on Friday at Sea Gull Field followed by a game against No. 23 Ithaca College. Salisbury's first game is slated to begin at Noon.
