GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo softball team opened up the Empire 8 Tournament with a bang, defeating Sage in the opening game in eight innings on a walk-off double from
Emily Sylvanus. The top-seeded Knights remain unbeaten at home with the win, improving to 29-9 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Knights offense broke through in the bottom of the second inning, putting up six runs. Gabriella Smith opened it up with an RBI single, followed by a bases load walk from Emily Sylvanus to go up 2-0. Ray Schumacher then capped off the two-out rally with a grand slam to left field, putting the Knights ahead 6-0.
- The Gators were quick to answer in the top of the third, going on a six-run rally of their own. Nevaeh Ross came on in relief for Geneseo to limit the damage, and kept the score tied at 6-6.
- The Knights threatened to score in the fifth and seventh innings, but the Gators were able to fend them off and forced the game to extra innings.
- After Ross and the Geneseo defense stranded a runner at third in the top of the 8th, the Knights walked-off Sage in the bottom half of the inning. Brooke Fraas picked up a one out double over the center fielder's head, then Sylvanus brought her home with a shot to left center, scoring Fraas.
QUICK FACTS:
- Schumacher tallied their fourth home run of the season with the grand slam, and now has 31 RBIs on the season.
- Fraas, Lauren Babich, and Bella Nadzan all tallied two hits in the game to lead the offensive effort.
- Ross threw six innings in relief to earn the win, allowing no earned runs and just three hits.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Geneseo will take on the loser of the Alfred and Nazareth game on Friday at 9 AM at Vic Raschi Field.
