KISSIMMEE, FLA – The York College softball squad had a tough Thursday as they dropped a pair of games during the third day of their 2023 Spring Trip.
The Spartans began the day with a 12-4 eight inning loss to Saint Benedict and followed that with a 3-0 loss to Saint Joseph's (Maine) in the nightcap. After starting the trip with three wins, the Spartans have lost three straight.
 
Game One vs. Saint Benedict
Records: York 3-2; Saint Benedict 4-1
Runs: York 4; Saint Benedict 12
Hits: York 6; Saint Benedict 15
Errors: York 4; Saint Benedict 0
WP: Ellie Peterson (2-0); LP: Amanda Criss (1-2)
 
How It Happened
• The Bennies opened the scoring in the third with a trio of runs in the frame. Gabby Spencer had a two-run double in the inning for Saint Benedict.
• York got a single run back in the fourth as Daphney Adams doubled to lead off the inning. She moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored on an Amanda Criss RBI fielder's choice.
• Saint Benedict got that run back on an Olivia Tautges sacrifice fly in the fourth. The Spartans got a leadoff home run from Alyssa Harhigh in the sixth as the Spartan deficit was cut to 4-2.
• The Spartans got a big seventh inning to force extra innings as Emma Keller singled in pinch runners Olivia Turchi and Jess Cusumano, tying the game with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Keller got thrown out trying to stretch the single to a two bagger as the teams headed to extra innings.
• Unfortunately for York, extra innings were unkind to the Spartans. The Bennies erupted for eight runs on eight hits with two errors in the top of the eight as they turned a close contest into a lopsided one. York went in order in the eighth as the deficit would be too much to overcome.
 
Spartan Offensive Leaders
Emma Keller: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Alyssa Harhigh: 1-for-4, 1 run, RBI, HR
Daphney Adams: 1-for-4, 1 run
 
Spartan Pitching
Natalie Rietema: 7.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 ER, 5 K, 2 BB
Amanda Criss: 1.0 IP, 8 hits, 8 runs, 2 ER, 1 K
 
Game Two vs. Saint Joesph's (Maine)
Records: York 3-3; Saint Joseph's 5-3
Runs: York 0; Saint Joseph's 3
Hits: York 5; Saint Joseph's 7
Errors: York 2; Saint Joseph's 0
WP: Paige Connery (1-0); LP: Gretchen Barstad (0-1); Save: Emily Eagleston (1)
 
How It Happened
• The Monks got on the board in the first thanks to a double steal as Sadie Tirrell swiped home for the 1-0 lead. It could have been worse for the Spartans but the Monks left the bases loaded.
• Saint Joseph's got a pair of insurance runs in the fourth with RBI singles from Hannah Gosselin and Olivia Howe. Both runs came after the Spartans got the first two outs of the inning.
• The Spartans never really got anything rolling offensively as they stranded nine in the loss.
 
Spartan Offensive Leaders
Amanda Criss: 1-for-3
Lindsey Smith: 1-for-3
Kylee Paules: 1-for-2
Bri McKeown: 1-for-1
Morgan Sauers: 1-for-3
 
Spartan Pitching
Gretchen Barstad: 5.0 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP
Amanda Criss: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs
 
Spartan Notes
The loss to Saint Benedict is the first in three games against the Bennies … York beat Saint Benedict in twice in 2010 as they won 7-5 on March 1 and then 5-4 on March 5 as both games were played in Kissimmee … the game against St. Joseph's was the first time the two programs have ever played … the Spartans were shutout for the first time this year in game two … for the first time this year York did not have an extra base hit in the loss to Saint Joseph's … York did draw a season-high four walks against the Monks … York struck out a season-high nine times in the loss to Saint Benedict … York had six errors in two games which led to six unearned runs on the day … York allowed their first home run of the year in the game one loss to Saint Benedict.
 
Up Next
The Spartans conclude their eight-game spring trip on Friday morning as they face Husson and Illinois College. Husson and the Spartans square off at 9:00 am followed by the game against the Lady Blues at 11:30 am.