The Oswego State softball team moved back to .500 (4-4) on the year with a pair of victories at the PFX Athletics Spring Games on Thursday afternoon. Oswego opened the day with a 10-3 win over Bethel University before defeating Ripon College 9-1 in a mercy-rule shortened contest.
OSWEGO 10, BETHEL 3:
Oswego saved its best for last, scoring all of its 10 runs in the final three innings. Trailing 2-0 headed to the top of the third, Sarah McCullough scored on a passed ball from third base after reaching on a walk earlier in the frame. Later in the inning, Rebecca Vilchez gave the Lakers a lead they would not relinquish with a single through the left side that plated Erin Sweeney and Katie Heselden. In the sixth, Oswego tacked on a run as Jessica Roe singled home Ashley Lyman. After surrendering a run to Bethel in the bottom of the sixth, the Lakers exploded for six runs in their final at-bat to secure a victory. During that frame, Oswego scored six on five hits and three errors.
Roe and Heselden led the way with 3-for-4 performances with two runs scored apiece. The duo drove in three teammates, with the former plating two and the latter hitting in one. They trailed Vilchez in the RBI department, as the freshman had a game-high four RBI with two hits and a run scored. Also finishing with a hit was Allison Hallett, who crossed the plate once and sent a teammate across as well.
The pitching responsibilities were split between Vilchez – who had a no-decision in 3.0 innings of work – and Roe – who picked up the second victory of her career, (2-2) tossing four frames. Roe struck out six and allowed just one hit and one earned run on the rubber. Vilchez scattered four hits and gave up two earned runs before being relieved at the start of fourth inning.
OSWEGO 9, RIPON 1 (6 INN):
Ahead 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Oswego plated three to achieve the eight-run margin needed for a mercy-rule triumph.
Four Lakers finished with multiple-hits, paced by Vilchez's 3-for-3 outing. She collected three more RBI for seven on the day, had two extra-base hits – a homer and double – and scored twice as well. Also with three hits was senior Melissa Mulvaney, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. McCullough and Joelle Nesci each had two hits to round out the quartet of multiple-hit outings. Each scored once while McCullough drove in two and Nesci plated one.
Nesci and Sweeney each had doubles to join Vilchez in the extra-base hit column.
Vilchez and Korine Clark combined to allow only four hits, both giving up two. Clark threw 2.0 innings and had an earned run charged to her line while Vilchez (2-2) went 4.0 frames and did not incur any damage on the scoreboard for the win.
Oswego will close out its spring break trip on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. with Hood College before taking on New York University at 1 p.m.
