JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On the final day of the JU/UNF Spring Break Challenge, the La Salle softball team (2-8) dropped a pair of games to UNC-Wilmington (13-10) and Presbyterian (6-12-2). The Explorers fell 6-2 against the Seahawks and 3-1 to the Blue Hose.
UNC-WILMINGTON 6, La SALLE 2
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- UNC-Wilmington chipped a run across in the top of the first to take an early lead.
- La Salle took the lead in the bottom of the third after freshman Natalie Rios sent a 1-2 pitch to right center for a two-run double, scoring junior Emily Conaway and sophomore Deanna Pineiro.
- The Seahawks added one in the sixth and three in the seventh to close the game.
INSIDE THE CIRCLE:
- Sophomore Morgan Orlowski (0-5) started in the circle and threw a complete game. Orlowski allowed six runs on 11 hits, with three earned. She set down four on strikes.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- The Explorers registered five hits with Pineiro leading the pack with a 2-for-2 outing. The sophomore scored the Explorers' lone run.
- Rios had a 1-for-3 outing with the double and two RBIs.
- Conaway and freshman Mackenzie Vogler each went 1-for-3, while Conaway scored a run.
PRESBYTERIAN 3, La SALLE 1
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Presbyterian jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first after plating a pair of runs on four hits.
- The Explorers plated their lone run of the game in the third. Junior Courtney Shupp started the inning with a leadoff double to right center. Three batters later, Rios recorded an RBI knock to right center, plating Shupp.
- Presbyterian added an insurance run in the sixth.
INSIDE THE CIRCLE:
- Freshman Cailey Joyce (2-2) tossed a complete game and allowed two earned runs on 10 hits, a walk, and a strikeout.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Shupp finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and run scored.
- Rios, Vogler, and senior Emma Schweigert each recorded a hit, with Rios adding an RBI to her stat line.
UP NEXT:
The Explorers remain in Florida as they play in the USF-Clearwater Parks and Recreation Showcase Tournament. La Salle is scheduled for a pair of games Friday and Saturday, and concluded the tournament with a single game on Sunday.