YORK, PA – The York College softball team picked up two wins Thursday afternoon over visiting Hood by way of very different results. The Spartans captured a tight 2-1 extra inning Capital Athletic Conference victory in game one before knocking out the Blazers early in game two by a 9-1 count. York now owns a stellar 23-7 mark on the year (9-1 CAC) while the visitors fall to 8-20 in 2009 (4-6 CAC).
    The Spartans jumped out front early in the day's first contest, taking a 1-0 lead after one. Kelly Smith (Riverdale, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) ripped a double to left center to lead off the Spartans' half of the opening frame. Shortstop Heather Bormann (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) followed with a single up the middle, plating Smith for the game's first tally.
    Both offenses would quiet throughout the majority of the contest save for Hood's tying score in the top of the fourth. That tying run took only one swing to obtain as Ashley Lenhart launched her first of the season off the Spartans' new scoreboard in left.
    That 1-1 count would hold until the Spartans' half of the first additional frame. The speedy Bormann, who was placed on second per the international tie-breaker ruling, was pushed to third by a successful sacrifice bunt by Sam Koehl (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson). After designated player Kristen Gray (Mickleton, N.J./Kingsway Regional) walked, Caitlin Keppler (Owings, Md./Northern) laid down a quality bunt as the Green and White executed the squeeze play to perfection. Bormann raced home to score the winning run, York's 22nd at the time.
    Just one-half inning sooner, the Blazers had attempted to move their runner on second over to third courtesy of a sacrifice bunt. The Spartans however, cut down Hood's Sam Smith at third and escaped the top of the eighth unscathed.
    Starting pitcher Brittany Therres (Hughesville, Md./Thomas Stone) went the distance for the Green and White for her eleventh win of the season. Therres allowed only four hits and one run while striking out four in her eight innings of work.
    Bridgette Ringley takes the loss in the circle as she scattered nine hits over 7.1 innings and recording a trio of strikeouts.
    Game two saw the Spartans finish the game in a mere five innings of play, securing the 9-1 mercy-rule victory.
    Hood knocked in the contest's first run in the top of the opening frame before the Spartans brought the score even in the inning's latter half. Smith, who led off the Spartans with a double in game one, jacked her second home run of the season on the first pitch she saw from Hood starter Jamie Gardner.
    York tacked on a pair in the bottom of the third to take the 3-1 lead before adding two more in the fourth. Bormann hammered the Green and White's second home run of the day in that fourth inning, plating herself and Meghan Van Meter (Hanover, Md./Archbishop Spalding). Bormann's second of the year gave York a 5-1 advantage.
    The Spartans finished the game the next inning, scoring a quick four runs to end the contest. After Keppler reached on a Hood fielding error, Julie Norris (Frederick, Md./Frederick) moved her to second via a sacrifice bunt. Michelle Barwick (Cockeysville, Md./Dulaney) later singled into the hole at short where Sara Wastler knocked it down to keep it in the infield. However, the Hood shortstop tried to make a play at third to get Keppler but threw the ball away allowing Barwick to move up to second.
    York then loaded the bases on a Van Meter walk, setting the table for Smith. The third baseman lashed shot into the gap in right center bringing home all three Spartan base runners. Hood's attempt to catch Smith heading to third went awry as an errant throw to third allowed the York standout to come home for the Spartans' ninth and final run of the game.
    Koehl picks up her 12th win of the season throwing all five innings and allowing only four hits. Koehl also recorded a trio of strikeouts in a strong performance.
    Gardner is saddled with the loss giving up three runs on four hits in 2.1 innings. Devon Markowitz relieved Gardner in the third and threw 2.1 innings herself, allowing six earned runs.
    For the day, Smith posted a 3-for-8 showing with two doubles and a home run as she knocked in four. Bormann went 3-for-6 with three runs batted in and a home run. Van Meter recorded a 3-for-4 afternoon and scored two runs.
    The Blazers' Lenhart went 2-for-4 in game one with an R.B.I. while Stephanie Gardner and Jen Willison each posted 1-for-2 performances in game two.
    York is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, April 11, with a double-header home contest against CAC rival Salisbury beginning at 1:00 pm. With inclement weather predicted for Saturday however, the games may be moved to Friday, April 10. Please visit www.ycpspartans.com for updated information.

GAME ONE BOX

GAME TWO BOX

PHOTO: Kelly Smith trots home after her game two lead-off homerun