Rangers Drop Two Against First-Place Crusaders

SELINSGROVE, Pa. (April 17, 2010) – The Rangers could not contain the Landmark Conference leading run producers this afternoon as Susquehanna collected 18 hits on the afternoon and pushed across 14 runs to stay atop the conference standings. Nicole Spiotta (Morris Plains, N.J./Morristown) was 1-for-5 on the day and had the only Ranger RBI.

Game one

Susquehanna (26-4, 6-0 Landmark) built an early lead in the first two innings of the contest and never looked back taking game one, 8-2. In the first inning the Crusaders took advantage of two walks, an error and an RBI single from Brennan Balfour to put up the first three runs.

They would then come back in their next turn at bat and load the bases only to get two more RBI singles to push the lead to, 5-0.

Drew (8-22, 1-7 Landmark) would get their only offensive production of the day in the top of the fourth inning when Kati Eggert (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls) was hit by a pitch and then moved over to third on a double from Jackie Mannino (Little Silver, N.J./Redbank). Spiotta would then step in and slap the ball to the right side to bring home Eggert and make the score 5-1. The Rangers would get their second run of the ball game as Susquehanna pitcher Cara Swerdlow threw a wild pitch that brought home Mannino.
The Crusaders would respond and tack on three more runs in the bottom half of the inning to put the game out of reach.

Game 2

The second game belonged to freshman pitcher Sarah Hoffman and the Susquehanna defense as they completed the sweep with a 6-0 victory. Hoffman went all seven innings, scattered four hits and struck out three to notch her tenth win of the season. Hoffman let her defense do most of the work as she induced 12 ground outs and only struck out three Rangers.

Jeramie Barletta (Madison, N.J./Madison) went 2-for-3 in game two but was thrown out at home in the first inning. She was the only Ranger to pass second base in game two.

The Rangers will turnaround and host Stevens in a non-conference doubleheader on Monday with first pitch slated for 3:00.