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BUFFALO, N.Y. - After playing their first 10 games of the season away from home, the D'Youville softball team finally took to the diamond at Dobson Field, splitting an East Coast Conference doubleheader with Bridgeport Sunday afternoon. The Saints took game one's pitching duel, 3-2, before the Purple Knights handed D'Youville their third loss of the season in game two, 7-3. After today's action, the Saints moved to 9-3 overall and 1-1 in ECC play.
After the Purple Knights (10-7, 1-1 ECC) plated one run in the top of the first inning, the Saints responded right away in the home half of the first when junior Hannah Bardeen doubled to right-center to drive in senior Maddy Pepke to knot the game back at one.
Bardeen was back for more in the bottom of the third with a two-run single that scored senior Mikaela Milleville and Pepke to create a 3-1 lead for the Saints.
Bridgeport added one more in the top of the sixth but with the tying run on base in the top of the seventh, sophomore pitcher Lauren Booth was able to shut the door, getting Samantha Schiebe to fly out to centerfield to end the game.
Booth (4-1) was able to hold the ECC's preseason favorites at bay in the opener, striking out three and only surrendering one earned run on six hits in her second complete game this season.
Bardeen (2-for-2, 3 RBI) and Pepke (3-for-3, 2 runs scored) paced the Saints' offense in their first league win of the season.
The Purple Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring in the first inning for the second time Sunday but Bardeen picked up her fourth RBI of the day with a base hit in the bottom of the first that drove in Pepke to cut D'Youville's deficit in half.
Freshman Laura Beck tied the game in the bottom of the second, advancing home on a wild pitch. Bridgeport re-established a one-run lead in the third but Beck countered once more with an RBI single back up in the middle to tie the game at three runs apiece.
A pair of runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings for the Purple Knights put the Saints away and split Sunday's twin bill.
Freshman Sarah Parzych (4-2) got the starting nod in the nightcap. In 5.2 innings, she fanned five batters but was charged with two earned runs on five hits.
Bardeen led the way once more with two more hits (2-for-3, RBI) to add to a total of four on the day.
The Saints continue a 10-game homestand and ECC play Tuesday afternoon when they welcome Staten Island to Dobson Field for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
