Feb. 25, 2011

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Sophomore Erin Galloway and freshman Erika Polidori had three hits each and junior Kylie Schalz drove in three runs as the Oakland University softball team (4-6) beat Lafayette (0-1) 7-3, Friday evening at Cyrill Stadium.

"It was a good win," said head coach LaDonia Hughes. "I'm pleased that we won, however I'm more proud of the fact that we played for each other today. They are starting to come together as a unit. The double plays in the sixth and seventh innings were huge for us. I know we will continue to improve how we play as a team."

In the first inning, Polidori singled to centerfield. Galloway doubled to left centerfield to score Polidori. In the bottom of the second, Lafayette had runners at first and second with one out. Senior Alison Tansel got a fly out and a ground out to end the inning.

In the third inning, senior Alyssa Deacon, junior Kelsey Krych and Polidori all banged out singles. Junior Kylie Schalz ripped a triple over the rightfielder's head to clear the bases. Galloway laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Schalz.

In the bottom of the third for the Leopards, Carly Fiero and Gwen Turner led off with singles. Mary Episcopo then blasted the ball over the left field fence for a home run. That made it 5-3, OU.

In the fifth inning, Polidori singled through the right side and moved to second on a ground out by Schalz. Galloway dinged out a single to centerfield. Lafayette got a strike out and a ground out to end the threat.

In the sixth inning, freshman Alyssa Shriver singled and was forced out on a fielder's choice by Deacon. Deacon moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Krych. That made it 6-3.

In the bottom of the sixth for the Leopards, singles from Jordan Parsons and Cody Kugler put runners on the corners with one out. The Golden Grizzlies turned a double play to end the inning.

In the seventh inning, Galloway singled, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Freshman Shannon Cleveland drew a walk to keep the inning going. Senior Marisa Everitt put down a bunt single to move Cleveland to second and score Galloway.

In the bottom of the seventh with one out, Episcopo and Stacey Kushner singled. Kristin Garganio hit a fielder's choice to load the bases. Everitt turned an unassisted double play at first to close out the game.

For Oakland, which had 13 hits in the game, Galloway was 3-for-3, drove in two runs and had eight assist, Polidori was 3-for-4 and scored two runs and Schalz was 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Tansel (1-2) gave up 11 hits and three runs for the complete game victory.

For Lafayette, Episcopo was 3-for-4 with a three-run home run while Fiero and Kushner had two hits each. Melissa Robinson (0-1) gave up 13 hits, seven runs and struck out two in seven innings.

Oakland will take on USC Upstate at 1 p.m., tomorrow on day two of the Campus Suites Spartan Classic. Live Stats are available are www.ougrizzlies.com

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