SAGE SOFTBALL SWEEPS WSU IN HOME OPENER, 5-0, 3-1

Troy, NY— Sage's softball team hosted the Owls of Westfield State University in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Robison Field. The Gators swept the Owls, 5-0 and 3-1 to make the home debut for Gator head coach Erica Li a success. With the wins, Sage is now 5-7 overall, riding three-game win streak. WSU drops to 3-9 on the year.

Game #1 Sage 5-0 WSU

In the first game, senior outfielder Lindsey Decker (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) spotted the Gators to a 2-0 lead with her two-run blast to left center for her second homer on the season.

The Gators added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth as with one out, rookie Ashlee Billert (Bennington, VT/Mount Anthony Union) singled to center field. Rookie catcher Sydney Benton (Gloversville, NY/Mayfield) added a single to right and both runners advanced on a double steal as sophomore Ashley Madigan (Valley Falls, NY/Hoosic Valley) was batting. Madigan reached on an error and Billert scored. With two outs, rookie Alex Henniger (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) added two RBI single to spot the Gators to a 5-0 lead.

In the circle for Sage, junior Alicia Swavely (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) picked up the complete game shutout as she fanned six batters and is now 3-0 on the season. She allowed just seven hits in the contest.

Game #2 Sage 3-1 WSU

In the nightcap, WSU jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by senior Karly Mastello (Russell, MA/Westfield). Sage answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as graduate performer Lisa Kentris (Latham, NY/Shaker) doubled to center field with one out. Decker had an RBI single to left to drive in Kentris for the Gators' first run. Senior infielder Kiersten Duncan (Millerton, NY/Taconic Hills) added a single to right field. Rookie Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union) singled to drive in a run scoring Decker. On the next play, WSU's pitcher Emily Woodworth (Marlborough, MA/Marlboro) was hit by a hard hit ball and left the game and was replaced by  rookie Brenna Welch (Halifax, MA/Halifax Regional). Sage took a 2-1 lead through the first inning and never lost the lead.

Kentris drove in the Gators' third run in the bottom of the second inning after sophomore pitcher Katerina Lagace (Newington, CT/Newington) and Henniger had back to back singles.

Lagace collected the complete game win with seven strikeouts. She worked seven innings with one unearned run off three hits with one walk. She stands at 1-3 on the year.

Sage is slated to face No. 23 ranked RPI next on March 23 at 1 p.m. in a non-league road double header.