Box Score Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. (Feb. 17, 2016)-The Morgan State softball team concluded its season opening weekend participating in the Dot Richardson Invitational with a 4-2 non-conference victory over the University of Akron on Sunday morning (Feb. 14) at the NAT Complex in Clermont, Fla.
 
Morgan State improved to 1-4 on the season, while the Zips remained winless at 0-5.
Despite being outhit by the Zips 10-4 for the game, Morgan State was able to make the most of their limited hits. Audrianna Alvarez led the way recording two hits on three at bats and scoring twice. Damali Young and Nicole Vandenberg each had a hit, while Vandenberg accounted for a game-high 2RBI.
 
The Lady Bears got going early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Vandenberg hit a double to score Jenny Lynch and Audrianna Alvarez for a 2-0 lead. Morgan State upped its lead to 3-0 when Giselle Alvarez scored when Young reached base on an error by the Akron shortstop. Vandenberg would be thrown out at third base on the play.
 
Akron would get on the board in the fourth inning when Gabrielle Fredericks grounded out to Morgan State pitcher Amy Begg, which scored Anna Tarpley to cut the Lady Bears' lead to 3-1.   
 
Morgan State responded right back with a run in the bottom half of the fourth when Giselle Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly to left field, which scored Audrianna Alvarez to put the Lady Bears up 4-1.
 
The score would remain that way until the Zips added a run in the top of the seventh on a RBI single by Kelley Hysong to score Carley Childress for what would be the final score.
 
The Zips were led by Childress, who went 3-for-3 with a run scored. Hysong and Caitlin Gambone each went 2-for-4 on the day. Erin Seiler, who fell to 0-3 on the season, pitched six innings allowing four runs on four hits, a walk and struck out eight batters.
 
Begg pitched a complete game for the Lady Bears, surrendering two runs on 10 hits and threw four strikeouts.
 
Morgan State returns to the field and Florida in two weeks to take part in the Diamond 9 Tournament (Feb. 26-28) in Orlando, Fla. The Lady Bears will open up on Friday against Syracuse at 3:30 p.m., followed by a 5:45 p.m. contest against UNC Charlotte.