Press Releases

May 1, 2001
With Win, Lady Colonials Close to Clinching First Playoff Berth Since 1997

Contact:
Darren Johnson
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

The Lady Colonials softball team ended their season with a come-from-behind upset win over second-place Adelphi on Saturday in Southampton. Now they are on the brink of their first playoff appearance since 1997.

After losing the opener of a doubleheader with Adelphi (23-15, 12-5) by a 10-1 blowout, things were looking grim for Southampton (13-26, 10-12), which needed a win to keep any realistic chance of making the post season alive. But, with an audience of 100 cheering, including 20 softball alumni, the Colonials made the nightcap their most memorable game of the season en route to a 13-9 win.

Adelphi jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first thanks to a Kris McCarthy homer. In fact, to the home team's chagrin, the ballfield's most notable improvement this year has been the addition of a homerun fence. However, the Colonials haven't hit one over the fence all year. Meanwhile, Adelphi hit four out of the park by four different players Saturday.

The Colonials rallied back to make it 4-3 in the bottom of the first, thanks to singles by Jennifer Maiorini and Shannon Owens. In the second inning, Southampton batted around with Erin Molloy stroking a two-RBI double and Annie Silkowski a two-RBI single. The Colonials were up 8-4.

Panther Allison Schultz slammed a homer to bring Adelphi to within one run, but in the fourth, the Colonials batted around again with RBI singles by Stephanie Valentinetti, Rose Zollo and Maiorini.

For the day, Valentinetti was 4-for-8. Molloy was 2-for-7 with three runs scored. Sophomore ace Kim Carroll got the win and Shayma Hill came on in the fifth for the save.

Now, to clinch the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference playoffs, the Colonials are hoping that seventh-place Molloy (8-10) doesn't do more than split with Queens (10-8) today and Concordia (6-12) tomorrow in doubleheaders. Molloy would have to win three of four remaining games to get the sixth (and last) seed. The playoffs are Friday at 3 p.m. at New York Tech, with the sixth seed's opponent still to be determined.