BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University's softball team dropped a 14-8 decision to Barry University in Sunshine State Conference action Saturday afternoon at the McCusker Sports Complex. The Fighting Knights move to 10-40 overall and 5-17 in the SSC while the Buccaneers improve to 31-12 and 16-5 in league play.
Callie Darlin tied her career-high with four RBIs on the day while Brittany Gross walked four times and score three runs to lead the Blue & White attack. Katrina Lavadan also drove in a run on two hits and scored twice.
Barry took a 1-0 lead with a run in the second but Lynn bounced back to take a 2-1 advantage in the third. Gross and Lavadan walked to start the rally and Mandi Brown laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both into scoring position. Darlin then grounded out to first but Gross was able to score on the play and Lavadan moved 60 feet closer. Carisa Cook then walked and the fourth ball got by the catcher allowing Lavadan to score the second run.
The Buccaneers then scored five in the fourth and six in the fifth to take a 12-2 lead and putt the mercy rule possibly into effect. However, Lynn fought right back with three runs in their half of the fifth to extend the game. For the third time of the game, Gross was issued a free pass and she got to second on Lavadan's single to left. Brown then drew a walk to load the bases and Darlin also took ball four to score Gross from third. With the bases still load, Cook singled up the middle to score Lavadan but Brown was thrown out at home. Darlin moved to third on the single while Cook got to second on the throw and Anne Marie Van Casteren drove in Darlin with a groundout to second.
The Red & Black once again answered back with two runs in the sixth to put the run-rule back into effect for the second time of the game at 14-5. LU fought right back to extend the game once again with another three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jordan Angel led off the frame with a sing and Megan Mayfield and Gross drew walks to load the bases. The jam led Barry to use its third pitcher of the game as Jessica Bevlin replaced Paula Mackin in the circle. Lavadan drove in the first run of the frame with a single to left but she was doubled up at first as Brown lined into a double play. With runners still on second and third, Darlin plated both runners with a single up the middle, her first hit of the afternoon and third and fourth RBI.
Darlin retired the side in the seventh but Lynn was unable to score in its half of the inning despite a double by Van Casteren.
A sophomore out of Houston, Texas, Darlin (6-23) received the loss for the Fighting Knights allowing seven earned runs on 14 hits while fanning four Bucs.
Mackin (11-3) was credited with the victory allowing six earned runs in 2.1 innings of work while walking five. She came into the game with two outs in the third inning for Brianna Smith who allowed two runs in 2.2 innings while walking four. Bevlin allowed just three hits in her two innings of work.
LU closes out the season with a 1 pm doubleheader against the same Bucs team Sunday, May 1, at the McCusker Sports Complex. Before the opening game, Lynn will honor seniors Jordan Angel, Katrina Lavadan and Brittany Gross as they will all play in their final games with the Fighting Knights. Fans can follow all of the action by logging onto www.LynnFightingKnights.com and clicking on "Game Central."
