Box Score

READING, Pa. – Sophomore Holly Lansberry (Curwensville, Pa./Curwensville Area) threw a complete-game five-hitter, but a two-out RBI base hit by Katie Deardorff in the bottom of the seventh inning helped top-seeded Lebanon Valley steal a heartbreaker from the fourth-seeded Lycoming College softball team, 1-0, in the opening game of the Commonwealth Conference Championship at Angelica Park on Friday afternoon, May 6.

Lansberry (10-7) worked out of minimal trouble all game, stranding six runners in t he first six innings and retiring the side in order three times. In the fifth inning, she got out of a jam with runners on second and third with one out, as she got a groundout that sophomore second baseman Taylor Lesser (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) made a nice play on to hold the runners with one out before sophomore shortstop Amy Cline (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) made a stop of a one-hop grounder to end the frame.

After a 1-2-3 sixth inning, pinch-hitter Steffani Secola led off with a walk before a sac bunt moved pinch-runner Chelsea Artz to second. Lansberry got the next batter to strike out, her last of four in the game. After an intentional walk, Deardorff laced a single into right-center to score Artz and end the game.

Commonwealth Conference Pitcher of the Year Laura Snyder (12-5) tossed a two-hitter for the Flying Dutchmen (29-7 overall), as she struck out nine and walked one in the complete game. She allowed a runner to reach second base just once.

Lansberry finished with three walks and four strikeouts, allowing five hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings.

Freshman Abbi Miller (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) led the Warriors, as she went 2-for-2 with two singles into left field.

Kristen Palmerio led the Dutchmen, as she went 2-for-3 with a walk and Deardorff went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Warriors will look to rebound in the second day of the tournament on Saturday, May 7, as they will have to win four games to take the conference title and earn a bid to the NCAA Division III Championships. At 9 a.m., the Warriors will start the string by facing the loser of the 11 a.m. game on Friday between Messiah and Arcadia.