KISSIMMEE, Fla.. – Senior right-handed pitcher Sofia Knopf (Norton, Mass.) tossed a four-hit, no walk shutout and junior left fielder Juliette Zito (Woodbridge, Conn.) doubled and tripled to lead the Wheaton College (Mass.) softball team over Arcadia University, 8-0, this afternoon at Fortune Road Athletic Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. as part of the Spring Games. The game was halted in the sixth inning due to the NCAA's eight-run mercy rule after five innings of play.
The Lyons improve to 4-4 on the season, while the Knights slip to 4-4.
Wheaton scored two runs in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings.
Knopf allowed just seven base runners on four hits and three hit batters, while striking out five in six innings to improve to 2-1 on the season for the Lyons. She also went 1-3 at the plate and knocked in a run. Zito scored a season-high four runs and reached base four times, including a pair of walks. Senior shortstop Lindsey Oliveira (Westport, Mass.) pulled off the rare feat of driving in two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies.
Junior left fielder Nathalia Dilanni (Livingston, N.J.) paced Arcadia's lineup, going 2-3 with a double and a stolen base, while junior second base Megan Klose (Harrisburg, Pa.) and junior right fielder Zoey Ritter (Coopersburg, Pa.) each collected a single in two at-bats. Junior starting pitcher Paige Nolan (Manchester, N.J.) took the loss, giving up eight runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks, while fanning five batters in five-plus innings of work.
Wheaton got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-0 lead. Zito legged out a triple to left field, before junior center fielder Grace DiBacco (Selkirk, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners with no outs for the Lyons. Oliveira plated Zito with her first sacrifice fly of the game to give Wheaton a 1-0 edge. DiBacco later scored on an infield error to give the Lyons a two-run margin.
Wheaton took advantage of a pair of Knight miscues in the third to double its lead at 4-0. Zito worked a leadoff walk, stole second and later scored when senior designated player Jill Ceddia (Hopkinton, Mass.) reached on an infield error. Ceddia later scored the Lyons' fourth run when Knopf served a single to left field.
Wheaton's lineup continued to roll pairs when it put two more runs on the board in the fourth to take a 6-0 advantage. Junior right fielder Jillian Rohon (Southington, Conn.) drew a one-out walk, before Zito put her on third base with a double to left field. DiBacco brought Rohon home with a ground out to shortstop and Zito scored on an infield error a batter later to give the Lyons a 6-0 lead.
Wheaton used its plate discipline to manufacture two more runs to end the contest in the bottom of the sith with two outs. Rohon, Zito and DiBacco were all issued walks to load the bases with no outs, before Oliveira clubbed a sacrifice fly to center field to knock in Rohon with the seventh run. Zito later scored the game-ender on a wild pitch.
Arcadia's best chance to score in the game came in the fourth inning. Dilanni singled to center with one out and stole second, before Klose punched a single to left field to put runners on the corners. First year shortstop Alexa Kozarski (Haddon Township, N.J.) put down a bunt, but Dilanni was cut down at the plate when first year Wheaton catcher Emma Boucher (Derry, N.H.) tagged her out at the plate.
The Lyons return to the diamond on Thursday, March 14 when they take on Suffolk University at Fortune Road for an 11:15 a.m. start, while Arcadia plays State University of New York Cortland on the same day at 9:00 a.m.
