JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Junior Emily Conaway and freshman Cailey Joyce launched their first home runs of the season as the La Salle softball team (2-6) fell to Cleveland State (4-13), 9-4, Saturday evening. The Explorers recorded a season high 11 hits in the outing and recorded no errors in the game for just the second time this year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Vikings jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. A leadoff solo shot by Kelly Hysong, Cleveland State brought another two in on a single and ground out.
• Cleveland State added another two in the third inning on three hits to push its lead to 5-0.
• La Salle answered in the top half of the fourth with its first two runs of the game. Joyce led off with her first career homer. A few batters later, Conaway ripped a doubled to right center, plating freshman Mack Bernhard from second.
• Four hits in the bottom half of the fourth pushed the Vikings lead back to five as they scored another two runs.
• With two outs in the sixth, Conaway sent a 1-1 pitch over the fence for her first of the season. The two-run homer came after freshman Audrey LaBouliere singled up the middle.
• Like the fourth inning, Cleveland responded again, matching the Explorers' two runs in the top half.

INSIDE THE CIRCLE:

• Senior Marlo Roadcap (0-1) started the game, pitching the first 0.2 innings. Roadcap allowed three runs on two hits, two walks, and two wild pitches.
• Joyce threw the remaining 5.1 innings. The rookie allowed six earned runs on 12 hits and a hit batter. Joyce struck out four on the day.

INSIDE THE NUMEBRS:

• Conaway finished the game 2-for-4 with the homer and double. She tallied three RBIs and a run scored.
• Joyce also went 2-for-4 on the day with the solo shot and an RBI.
• Senior Emma Schweigert ended 2-for-4 with a pair of base knocks.
• LaBouliere batted 2-for-3 with a run scored.

UP NEXT:
La Salle is back in action tomorrow with a pair of games. The Explorers take on UNC-Wilmington at 10 a.m. and Presbyterian at 12:30 p.m.