Anderson, Snover Record Walk-Off Hits in 9-8, 6-5 Victories

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- The host Washington College softball team won its first two Centennial Conference games of the season in dramatic fashion, sweeping visiting Franklin & Marshall this afternoon. The Shorewomen (10-7, 2-0 Centennial) won game one, 9-8, on a walk-off single by freshman right fielder Christine Anderson (Palmer Lake, CO/Lewis-Palmer), and won game two, 6-5, on a walk-off two-run double by senior third baseman Sally Snover (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park).

In game one, an RBI double by Alicia Kukoda and a two-run home run by Samantha Ginder gave the Diplomats (7-9, 0-2) a 3-0 lead in the first inning.  The Shorewomen put together a six-run inning in the bottom of the second on a grand slam by freshman Kristin Cooper (Georgetown, DE/Sussex Central) and a two-run home run by sophomore first baseman Lauren Dockrill (San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic). Cooper's home run was her second in as many games, while Dockrill's was the first of her collegiate career. The Shorewomen increased their lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the third when junior center fielder Lindsey Glascock (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg) hit an RBI double and Anderson hit an infield single and advanced on an error, plating Glascock from second base.

The Diplomats put together five runs in the top of the fifth inning to even the score at 8-8. Kukoda hit an RBI single, Rachel Laufer hit an RBI single, Laura Wagoner drove home a run with a single, and Caitlin Brust hit a two-run single. 

The Diplomats got a runner on to open the top of the seventh inning when Kukoda was hit by a pitch, but she was thrown out trying to steal second two batters later by Washington sophomore catcher Kylie Nottingham (Ocean City, MD/Stephen Decatur). Laufer then popped up to right field to end the inning. Cooper walked with one out in the bottom of the seventh and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Snover. Anderson then hit her game-winning single as Cooper scored from second base.

Cooper had a big opening game, not only hitting a grand slam and scoring the winning run, but also getting the win in the circle. She opened the game as the designated player, but came on to pitch in relief and recorded the win after allowing just one hit and no walks in two and one-third innings. At the plate, she was 2-for-2 with two walks, four RBI, and two runs scored.

Anderson finished the first game 3-for-5 with the game-winning RBI, while freshman shortstop Suzanne Patinella (Fallston, MD/Maryvale Prep) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a double. Junior Brittany Walter (Forest Hill, MD/C. Milton Wright), who started the game in the circle, went 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. 

Kukoda finished the opening game 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored for the Diplomats, while Wagoner was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. 

Anderson opened the scoring in the second game with an RBI single in the bottom of the second to give Washington a 1-0 lead. The Diplomats went ahead, 3-1, however, in the top of third on an RBI single by Nicole Casey and a two-run single by Ginder. The Shorewomen responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of third on a two-run single by Cooper and an RBI single by Anderson as Washington went ahead, 4-3.  F&M tied the score again in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Danielle Murphy. Neither team scored again until Murphy hit another RBI single to put F&M ahead, 5-4. 

The Shorewomen mounted their game-winning rally in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Cooper walked, while junior second baseman Shaelan Nottingham (Ocean City, MD/Stephen Decatur) followed with a single to put runners on first and second.  Snover followed with her game-winning double to right field as Cooper scored the tying run from second easily and Nottingham just got under the tag in a close play at the plate to give the Shorewomen the win.

Cooper, who started game two in left field, again the got the win in relief in game two, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out six batters in three innings of work. At the plate, she walked twice, went 1-for-2, scored two runs, and drove in two runs. 

Five different Shorewomen had two hits in the second game as Dockrill, Kylie Nottingham, Shaelan Nottingham, and Patinella each went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Anderson went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Murphy was 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Diplomats in the second game, while Casey went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

The two victories marked the first sweep of F&M for the Shorewomen since 11-8 and 6-4 wins in 2006.

The Shorewomen return to action Tuesday with a 3:00 p.m. Centennial Conference double-header against Haverford.