Nighthawks Fall to Lynx

The Newbury softball team dropped a tough NECC double-header to visiting Lesley University today by scores of 7-2 and 8-0.  Despite the losses, the Nighthawks showed a fierce, competitive drive through both games making definite progress on their quest for win number one.

The Lynx jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one off singles by Sarah Wilson (Lowell, MA/Lowell) and Georgia Saltzman (Lynn, MA/Lynn English).  Lesley received timely hits from batters throughout their lineup, as four different Lynx produced RBIs.  Though Saltzman recorded her sole RBI back in the first, she would go on to collect two additional hits in both the third and seventh innings. 

The Nighthawks were persistent and did not go down easily.  Following a three-run fifth inning by the Lynx, Newbury responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth.  Captain Katelyn Mark (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice hit by Kaila Nicolia (Monroe, CT/Masuk), took third on a wild pitch, and scored on a forced error off a hit by Jessica Jordan (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham).  Freshman Teressa Farioli (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) walked, advancing Jordan to second where she was able to score on a single off the bat of Ariel Ross (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard).  The Nighthawks threatened again in the seventh inning as Leanne Merritt (Fairfield, CT/Bethel) ripped a single up the middle but were unable to capitalize, leaving two runners on base. 

Game two was dominated by Lesley pitcher Alicia Burnett (Gulf Breeze, FL/Milton) who amassed 12 strikeouts in five innings of action.  She allowed one Nighthawk hit to Mark who singled to start the game, but shut down the Newbury offense thereafter.  Alyson Durben (Stow, MA/Nashoba Regional) and Jodi Fralick (Woburn, MA/Woburn) each went 2-3 in the nightcap, as Durben collected two RBIs and Fralick added one of her own in addition to two runs scored.

Newbury travels to Southern Vermont College on Saturday, April 4, 2009 to take on the Mountaineers.