VIERA, Fla. — D'Youville University faced two competitive matchups on Thursday, achieving a split result. In their first game of the day, the Saints suffered a tough 4-3 loss to Malone University, but finished on a high note edging out Purdue University Northwest (8-6) with a final score of 5-4. The Saints win was highlighted by a strong offensive showing with three doubles and two triples, contributing to a total of nine hits.
In their first game of the day, D'Youville (7-6) fell narrowly to Malone University (8-5) with a final score of 4–3, despite a strong seven-hit performance. Malone took an early lead in the first inning with a triple to right field and scoring on a single. The Pioneers later scored on a sacrifice fly, putting Malone up 2–0 after one inning.
D'Youville responded in the second inning when
Mikayla Hussar (West Seneca, N.Y. / West Seneca West) doubled and scored on a single by
Frankie Morris (Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster).
Annie Jorgenson (Victoria, B.C. / Belmont SS) also crossed the plate thanks to a sacrifice fly from
Sophia Arno (Clarence Center, N.Y. / The Brook Hill School), tying the game at 2–2 by the end of the inning. In the third inning,
Danielle Fenlong (Georgetown, Ontario / Christ the King SS) singled and advanced on a groundout before Hussar brought her home with another single, giving D'Youville a brief lead at 3–2. Malone tied the game at 3–3 on a groundout before regaining the lead in the fifth inning with a run, making it 4–3.
The score remained unchanged through the final two innings, with D'Youville unable to add more runs.
Summer Clark (Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville East) pitched 6 innings, allowing 9 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 3 batters. She faced 27 batters with 11 groundouts and 4 flyouts contributing to her outing. Despite conceding a triple, Clark managed to retire 4 of 6 left-handed batters without surrendering a run.
Danielle Fenlong contributed significantly with a double and two hits, scoring one run, while
Mikayla Hussar added another double and collected two hits, driving in one run.
Sophia Arno showcased her defensive skills with five assists.
The Saints bounced back with a much stronger showing game two. D'Youville opened the scoring in the first inning when
Shannon Howes (Palgrave, Ontario / St. Thomas Aquinas) doubled down the left field line and scored on a triple by
Danielle Fenlong, concluding the inning with a 1-0 lead. In the fourth inning,
Mikayla Hussar singled and scored on a double by
Jorja Sandilands (Brooklin, Ontario / Brooklin), extending the lead to 2-0. The fifth inning proved pivotal as
Leah Batterson (Canandaigua, N.Y. / Red jacket) tripled and brought home
Sophia Arno with a single.
Mikayla Hussar then doubled, driving in two more runs, and by the end of the inning, D'Youville led 5-2.
Purdue Northwest tried to mount a comeback in the sixth inning, scoring two runs, but D'Youville held on to a 5-4 advantage. The team secured the victory by keeping the Pride scoreless in the seventh inning.
Kendal Lehnen (Sherrill, N.Y. / Vernon Verona Sherrill) pitched a complete game for D'Youville, delivering 7 innings with 66 pitches, 50 of which were strikes. She allowed 7 hits and 4 runs (3 earned), walked one batter, and struck out three.
Shannon Howes collected two hits, including a double, while scoring twice.
Mikayla Hussar recorded two hits and drove in two runs, adding a double to her performance.
Danielle Fenlong tallied a triple and an RBI, providing a crucial hit in the lineup.
Up Next
The Saints are back tomorrow for their final day of competition at the Space Coast Games in Viera, FL. D'Youville will take on Goldey-Beacom at 10:00 AM before facing off with St. Michael's College at 12:15 PM.
