SOFTBALL

BOSTON - For the second straight day, the Norwich University softball team split a conference doubleheader, taking one of two games from GNAC foe Suffolk on Sunday afternoon. The Cadets dropped a 4-2 decision to the Rams in the first game, before rallying to take a 9-8 verdict in the nightcap.

Norwich moves to 10-6 (6-2 GNAC) with the split, while Suffolk's record goes to 7-11 (6-4 GNAC).

Lisa Schmidt doubled home the game-tying run, and came around to score the game-winning run on an error to cap a three-run seventh inning rally that helped Norwich gain a split of the league twinbill.

The Cadets trailed 8-3 heading into the sixth inning of the nightcap, but plated three runs in that frame to set the stage for the seventh inning. Whitney Grennon's two-run single sparked the three-run uprising in the sixth, as NU pulled to within 8-6.

Then, after a sacrifice fly by Seana Ellsworth made it a one-run game in the bottom of the seventh, Schmidt doubled home Ellsworth with the tying run. Schmidt then scored on a two-out error to give Norwich the split. 

The host Rams jumped out to a 5-0 first inning advantage in the second contest, before eventually building the 8-3 lead.

Grennon and Christine Carroll each had three hits in the second game triumph for Norwich, as senior Emily Bean picked up the win in the circle for the visitors. 

It was Suffolk's late inning heroics that proved to be the difference in the opener, as the Rams plated the tying run in the seventh on a throwing error and scored twice in the top of the eighth using the international tiebreaker. 

Codi Collins rapped out three hits and drove in both Norwich runs to lead the Cadets' offense in game one. Norwich also received two hits apiece from Grennon, Lindsay Carey and Tiana Garaboldi. Mackenzie Pratt suffered the loss for the Cadets, allowing three earned runs and fanning three along the way.

Norwich resumes its conference slate on Friday, April 11, when the Cadets travel back to Boston to take on GNAC foe Simmons for a pair of games.