Rams Defeat Mount Saint Mary in First Round

#2 Farmingdale State - 7, #3 Mount Saint Mary - 3

Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State softball team defeated Mount Saint Mary, 7-3, in todays first round game of the Skyline Conference Playoffs. The Rams advance to the winners bracket and face the winner of NYU-Poly/Old Westbury on Saturday at 11am.

Farmingdale broke open a two run lead in the bottom of the first off a bunt single by sophomore centerfielder Kaitlin Keenan (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) and a sacrifice fly by junior shortstop Nicole Farber (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) for the 2-0 advantage.

The Rams scored five more runs in the second inning off four hits and one error to push the lead up to 5-0. Sophomore designated hitter Shelby Martin (New Paltz, N.Y./New Paltz) hit a first pitch homerun over the left field fence to start off the inning, followed by a two RBI double down the left field line by Farber to score sophomore left fielder Rebecca Richman (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) and freshman second baseman Maressa Mistretta (Shirley, N.Y./Longwood). Sophomore first baseman Aubrey Walker (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) singled to left for two RBI's.

Sophomore pitcher Hope Zino (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) pitched a four inning shutout with four strikeouts with no walks and just two hits. Junior pitcher Heather Buckshaw (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) closed out the game allowing three runs on six hits. Zino improved to 12-4 overall with the victory.

For Farmingdale, Farber hit 1-for-3 with three RBI's and one run scored. Keenan finished the day 1-for-2 with one RBI and two walks. Mistretta was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk.

Mount Saint Mary freshman pitcher Caitlin Maynes (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) allowed eight hits and three earned runs with two strikeouts for the day. Sophomore second baseman Destiny Scott (New Paltz, N.Y./New Paltz) finished 2-for-3, while senior leftfielder Amy Romito (Washingtonville, N.Y./Washingtonville) was 2-for-4.

The Skyline Playoffs will continue on Saturday, May 1st at top-seed NYU-Poly. Games are at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Championship round will be played at NYU-Poly on Sunday, May 2nd at Noon, with a game at 2:00 p.m., if necessary.

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