Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.- Lynn University's softball team dropped a pair of non-conference games to Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday night. The 4-2 and 3-1 losses move Lynn to 18-20 overall this season while holding a 4-8 Sunshine State Conference slate. Devin Kochergen went four-for-seven at the plate for the Fighting Knights while Kasey Murray went three-for-six while pitching a complete game in the second game of the double header.
The Fighting Knights opened the first game of the non-conference double header scoring their only two runs of the game in the first inning. Danielle McNeill led off the game with an infield single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Bianca Savulak. Kochergen hit a RBI-single to right field and then advanced on a throwing error by the Sailfish's shortstop. Kaci Vassallo singled down the left field line to plate a second run giving the Knights a 2-0 advantage.
Palm Beach Atlantic cut the Knights lead in half in the bottom of the third inning when a single through the right side from Theresa Butler scored Lindsey Johnson. Missy Montgomery backed by a solid LU defense would escape a bases loaded jam to lead 2-1 heading into the top of the fourth.
After a quick top of the fourth inning PBA added two more runs on three hits to take the 3-2 lead. An insurance run by the Sailfish in the bottom of the sixth would secure the 4-2 victory. Montgomery (8-8) threw a complete game allowing just four runs, three earned, from the 35 batters she faced. Kochergen went two-for-three with a walk, one RBI, and a run scored for the Knights.
The second game of the double header started off to a similar pace with Lynn striking first. A leadoff single from McNeill would set the tone for the Knights. Savulak advanced McNeill on a sacrifice bunt, who then advanced to third on a single from Kochergen through the left side. Vassallo sent a hard hit ball down the left field line to plate McNeill for the 1-0 lead.
Murray allowed just three hits over the next five innings while stranding six Sailfish on base but a leadoff single by Benito would start a late inning PBA rally in the sixth. Palm Beach Atlantic scored three runs on five hits before the Blue and White could escape the bases loaded jam. Trailing 3-1 in the top of the seventh inning, LU was unable to rally before the final out of the inning.
Kochergen and Murray both notched multi-hit games for the Fighting Knights. Vassallo logged the only RBI of the game for LU. Murray pitched a complete game allowing three runs on eight hits while fanning four batters.
The Fighitng Knights travel to Ft. Lauderdale April 5-6 for a three-game SSC series against Nova Southeastern. Last time the two teams early this season in non-conference play LU swept the Sharks in a two-game set. First pitch is Friday night at 6 pm. Fans can log on towww.LynnFightingKnights.com for up-to-the-minute information on LU softball. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @LUKnights on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.
