CLERMONT, Fla. – The Plattsburgh State softball team kicked off its 2011 season with a 5-1 start at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla.
Plattsburgh 2, Bethel 0
Plattsburgh started its season with a 2-0 win over Bethel. Ashley Marshall put the Cardinals on the board with a sacrifice fly to bring home Dana Mandery in the fourth inning. Nicole Diemer scored Plattsburgh’s second run in the fifth inning on a passed ball.
The Cardinals had four hits, but the highlight was Marshall’s day on the mound. Marshall tossed a seven inning, complete game shutout, giving up one hit and recording 17 strikeouts.
Plattsburgh 9, Wesleyan 4
Nicole Diemer went 4-for-5 with an RBI as the Cardinals scored nine runs to defeat Wesleyan.
With Plattsburgh down by two runs in the top of the fifth, Diemer and Erin Jamieson scored on a throwing error to tie the game at 2-2. The Cardinals scored two more runs in the top of the sixth inning on a double from Jamieson, who finished the day with three runs batted in.
Plattsburgh’s offense kicked into gear in the seventh, scoring five runs en route to its second victory. Offensively, Briana Clarke, Megan Price and Erin Florkiewicz each went 2-for-4. Florkiewicz added two RBI in the seventh on a home run to right center.
Heather Loughran started for the Cardinals and worked into the sixth inning. Loughran gave up eight hits, four runs – two of which were earned, one walk and recorded five strikeouts. Ashley Marshall (2-0) closed out the game was credited with the win while striking out three.
Plattsburgh 5, Rhode Island College 3
Plattsburgh picked up its third win with a 5-3 victory over Rhode Island College. Heather Loughran earned her first win in 2011, giving up four hits and striking out five. Ashley Marshall relieved Loughran and struck out two to secure the win.
Offensively, Samantha Capobianco and Brianna Clarke each had an RBI double. Dana Mandery went 2-for-3.
Plattsburgh 4, Transylvania 1
Ashley Marshall held Transylvania to one run and drove home two runs as the Cardinals earned their fourth straight victory. Marshall (3-0) gave up three hits and struck out 11 in a complete game for her third win.
Plattsburgh tied the game in the bottom of the first on a solo home run to left from Brianna Clarke. Marshall knocked Megan Price and Erin Florkiewicz home in the fourth on a single to center field. The Cardinals scored once more in the fifth on a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Rabideau.
Plattsburgh 10, Western New England 2
The Cardinals scored in every inning but the sixth in an offensive outburst en route to a 10-2 win over Western New England College.
Plattsburgh slugged 13 hits and had five players go 2-for-4. Nicole Diemer drove home two runs and scored two runs. Brianna Clarke, Dana Mandery, Megan Price and Diane Garces and Erin Jamieson knocked in a run apiece.
Heather Loughran (2-0) gave up nine hits, two earned runs and struck out four.
Plattsburgh 0, Keene State 2
Plattsburgh suffered its first defeat at the hands of Keene State in a 2-0 loss on Monday morning.
Ashley Marshall (3-1) pitched a complete game, surrendering five hits and two runs – all of which came in the fourth inning. Marshall also struck out 11.
The Cardinals (5-1) struggled at the plate with only three hits and five runners left on base.
Keene State’s Sara Stocklinski pitched five innings for the win, giving up three hits while striking out three and issuing three walks. Samantha Pratt didn’t allow a hit and struck out two in the final two innings to pick-up the save for the Owls.
