POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Marist loses both games to Manhattan College during Saturday’s double header, scoring only one run in total.
Marist was defeated in game one by a score of 4-1. Junior pitcher Megan Beiermeister went the distance, finishing seven innings and responsible for four runs, two earned, three walks and three strikeouts.
Manhattan struck early in the first inning scoring two runs. Kat Prevo reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Briana Matazinsky due to an errant throw by Lauren Pitney at second base. Adriana Gambino then singled into right field scoring Daniela Chiorazzi.
Marist got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Ali Milam launched a home run to right center field. This would be Marist’s only run on the long day.
Shannon Puthe poked a single to left field that added two more insurance runs for Manhattan.
Unfortunately, things wouldn’t get any better for the Red Foxes after the short game break. Game two was decided by a score of 1-0.
Marist starting pitcher Kallen Leeseberg battled for 6.2 innings giving up her one run in the seventh. Leeseberg walked five and struck out four while only giving up two hits.
Like Beiermeister, Leeseberg was determined to give her team length.
“I knew I wanted to keep it as consistent as possible for them, not focus on a lot of changes,” said Leeseberg.
The third year starter got stingy when runners were on base. Leeseberg sailed through four solid innings and retired nine in a row going into the fifth inning. She walked the leadoff batter and then quickly gave up a base hit to Gambino. Lesseberg faced a first and third situation with one out; she forced Victoria Alonso to groundout to third and then Christine Gebhardt to pop out, narrowly escaping trouble.
Marist did not have many scoring opportunities at all, but in the bottom of the sixth Caroline Baratta walked to put a runner on first. Brittany Colombo was up next and lined a come-backer off pitcher Nicole Williams. The ball was thrown to first base, and Colombo was called out. Colombo had clearly beaten the throw by two steps, and Coach Joe Ausanio was out to argue with the umpires once more. The first base umpire had a couple of previous controversial calls that warranted explanations to the home team.
Marist ultimately could not capitalize on the opportunity, striking out to end the inning with a runner left on second base.
Cruising into the seventh the score was locked at 0-0. Leeseberg, still competing, found herself in the biggest jam of the game with runners at first and third with one out. Marist caught a huge break as Gambino tried to steal second base, but she left early, resulting in an out. This allowed the infield to play back, and outfielders to play at normal depth. Leeseberg faced Emma Hesse, pinch hitting for Victoria Alonso, who hit a high fly ball over the head of left fielder Kourtney Paul. The deathly blow plated Puthe, who scored the only run of the game. Marist went down in order against Williams, who finished the complete game shut-out.
Marist will have an opportunity to bounce back as they play Saint Peter’s University in another double header Sunday, April 29.
“Our mindset is to attack for tomorrow. We have nothing to lose,” said Leeseberg.