Kissimmee, FL – (3/8/2010) – Chestnut Hill College owned a 5-3 lead over Clarion University after six innings of yesterday's second game in Kissimmee, Florida. Unfortunately, the Griffins were not able to even up on the afternoon as the Golden Eagles rallied for a 7-5 victory. Chestnut Hill College lost 7-2 to Urbana University early in the day, all nine runs of the contest scored unearned. 

Chestnut Hill College came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning behind a 3-2 deficit. A lead-off walk to freshman third baseman Allie Schempp (Clayton, NJ) and a one out single from sophomore right fielder Kayla Shoap (Newville, PA) gave the Griffins the necessary base runners to take the lead. Sophomore left fielder Alyssa Miller (East Stroudsburg, PA) grounded to short, but plated the tying run, 3-3, before a two-out single from freshman centerfielder Kim Kashnoski (Philadelphia, PA) kept the inning alive. Junior catcher Janean Ciancia (Trainer, PA) reached as her sacrifice bunt was mishandled, loading the bases junior shortstop Shannan Burdziak (Elkins Park, PA). Burdziak cleared the bases with a single and landed the Griffins a 5-3 lead. Freshman pitcher Veronica Wilenta (Brick, NJ) took the mound in the seventh with the game in-hand, but a pair of lead-off singles put the Griffins on their heels. Following a fielder's choice, two run scoring base-hits forced Wilenta off the mound with the game knotted a 5-5. A liner back to the mound allowed the Golden Eagles to grab a late 7-5 lead as an unfortunate error left the Griffins with their final at-bat. Three Griffin walks loaded the bases with one out for sophomore pitcher Megan Daley (Pittsburgh, Pa.) in the bottom of the seventh, but two pop flies to second base ended the threat and secured the win. 

The Griffins opened the day with a contest against Urbana University (3-3). The Blue Knights scored two in the first inning on a Griffin error in right field, 2-0, and another error allowed them to load the bases in the second inning, before consecutive hits put the Griffins behind 6-0 with no outs. A third error permitted the Blue Knights' seventh run to score two batters later. Chestnut Hill College (0-2) would score two unearned runs in the fifth as Ciancia's ball to short was mishandled allowing Miller and Kashnoski to score. But that is all the Griffins could muster falling 7-2 in their first game of the year. Freshman pitcher Cassie Benson (Rosamond, CA ) took the loss (0-1) without allowing an earned run. She surrendered seven hits and three walks over six innings of work. Senior pitcher Jessie Swinderman (Glenford, Ohio) earned the win for the Blue Knights without surrendering an earned run. Swinderman (1-1) allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five in seven innings.

The softball team continues play at the Rebel Spring Games tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9, with contests against Wheeling Jesuit University (9:00 a.m.) and Northeastern State University (1:00 p.m.).