SALISBURY, MD – The York College softball squad had a rough day during the second day of the 2009 Salisbury University Tournament as the Spartans fell to Lynchburg 7-4 in the opener before dropping a 7-2 decision to #13 Christopher Newport in the nightcap. The Spartans finish the tournament 2-2 and are now 13-5 overall.

In the opener, the Hornets scored a run in the first only to be matched by the Spartans in the bottom of the frame. Lynchburg then used six hits to score five runs in the top of the second, breaking the game open.

York trimmed the lead to 6-2 with a run in the bottom of the sixth but the Hornets got that tally back in the top of the seventh. York picked up two runs in the bottom of the seventh but it was not enough to prevent the loss.

Katie Bruce earned the win as she allowed four runs, three earned, on 14 hits in seven innings of work. She struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. Freshman Brittany Therres (Hughesville, Md./Thomas Stone) suffered the loss as she allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings of action. She falls to 7-2 with the setback. Sam Koehl (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) threw the final two innings, allowing one run on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Brittany Allsop led the Hornets as she was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Bruce was 1-for-3 with three RBI while Rachel Gallagher was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Tara Campbell and Leslie Bailey each added two hits to the Lynchburg attack.

Julie Norris (Frederick, Md./Frederick) led the Spartan offense as she was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Heather Bormann (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial), Caitlin Keppler (Owings, Md./Northern), and Kristen Gray (Mickleton, N.J./Kingsway Regional) each banged out to hits as the Spartans collected 14 knocks in the game.

In the battle of nationally ranked teams, the #13 Captains bested the #21 Spartans in what looked like it was going to be an offensive slugfest early.

The Spartans got a pair of runs in the top of the first only to have the Captains respond with two in the bottom of the first. The Spartans were held scoreless in the top of the second but CNU notched a three-run bottom of the second to take a 5-2 advantage.

The Captains picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth, providing for the final 7-2 margin.

Kristen Rowe notched the win as she allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and three walks.

Koehl suffered the loss as she went the distance, allowing seven runs, six earned, on 14 hits with four walks and two strikeouts. She falls to 6-3 with the loss.

Mary Kennedy led the Captains as she was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Renee Ashworth was 2-for-4 with two RBI while Megan Morris chipped in with two hits, an RBI and a run scored. Ashley Mani added a pair of hits and an RBI.

Keppler, Bormann, and Kelly Smith (Riverdale/St. Vincent Pallotti) each had a single for the Spartans as they were held to a season-low three hits in the game.

The Spartans return home for their 2009 home opener on Tuesday, March 17 when they host Susquehanna University in a twin bill at Spartan Stadium. Game one is set for a 3:00 pm first pitch.

LYNCHBURG BOX

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT BOX