MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The nationally-ranked Saint Anselm College softball team opened the 2020 season with a pair of victories on Friday, taking down Seton Hill University by a 6-0 score in the first game before defeating Lock Haven University, 5-1, in game two.
The Hawks (2-0), who entered the game nationally ranked by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top-25 Preseason Poll, blanked the Griffins (1-1) of Seton Hill in game one. Saint Anselm took down the Bald Eagles (0-2) of Lock Haven by a 5-1 score in game two to complete the opening-day sweep.
No. 17 Saint Anselm 6, Seton Hill 0 | Box Score
In the opener, Saint Anselm scored three runs in the bottom of the second and never looked back. The inning was highlighted by a two-run double by sophomore Kylie Fitzpatrick (Danville, N.H.).
Junior Kat Stackrow (Poestenkill, N.Y.) put the Hawks on the board first with a double to right field, bringing in the first run of the day in the bottom of the second inning.
Neither team was able to score in the next two innings until the Hawks tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and bases loaded, senior Maggie Murphy (Scarborough, Maine) extended the Hawks lead to 4-0 with a ground out to second. In the process, junior Maddi Leite (Cumberland, R.I.) came into home for the score.
With momentum on their side, the Hawks added two more runs with junior Bre Klaiber (Ironton, Ohio) drawing a walk, scoring Fitzpatrick from third. Senior Erin Thompson (Newton, N.H.) finished the fifth with a hard ground ball to second base, having one runner come across the plate. Junior Lauren Washburn (Carmichael, Calif.) attempted to push and score but was thrown out at home plate to end the inning.
A day after being named to the Schutt Sports / NFCA Division II Player & Pitcher of the Year "Watch List", senior Morgan Perry (Bethany, Conn.) went seven strong innings, allowing two hits and completing the shutout victory. She finished the game with 14 strikeouts, tying her career-high. Seton Hill's Skyla Greco took the loss, giving up six runs on four hits and five walks. She fanned three batters in her outing.
Fitzpatrick led the team with two hits. Leite came across the plate twice.
No. 17 Saint Anselm 5, Lock Haven 1 | Box Score
In the game two, Saint Anselm defeated Lock Haven, 5-1, taking the lead late in the game. After tying the game, the Hawks pulled ahead with a Stackrow solo homerun.
Lock Haven opened up scoring in the second inning when Chloe Kennedy singled on a 1-2 pitch, bringing in a run. In the top of the third, Saint Anselm tied the game at one with a Washburn RBI single.
The Hawks notched three runs in the seventh inning, with Thompson and Murphy scoring on a pair of Lock Haven errors.
Sophomore McKenna Smith (Old Town, Maine) earned the win for the Hawks. She allowed zero hits and no runs over three relief innings, striking out eight, tying her career-high in a single game. Junior Courtney Fisher (Taunton, Mass.) had the start, surrendering one run on three hits over four innings while striking out five.
The Hawks tallied 10 hits against the Bald Eagles with Colson, Stackrow and Leite managing multiple hits in the game. Stackrow and Colson each collected three hits to lead the team.
Saint Anselm plays two more on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Hawks face Shippensburg at 10 a.m. and Northeast-10 Conference rival Le Moyne at noon.
