Posted: Apr 11, 2022

Spartans Sweep Home Series from Lakers

Lexie Cottrill picked up both wins against Finger Lakes Community College on Saturday.

An aggressive approach at the plate, solid fielding and great games from pitcher Lexie Cottrill gave Cayuga Community College Softball a sweep of Finger Lakes Community College on Saturday.

In only their second home series of the season, the Spartans took the lead early in both games and coasted to wins of 10-2 and 9-0. The sweep puts the Spartans at 3-5 on the season.

Coach Chris Amoia praised Cottrill for her command and getting ahead of hitters, and said the team's defense improved from their first home series against Niagara County Community College.

"We worked hard in practice and stressed the importance of fielding the ball cleanly, making good throws and getting the routine outs. It showed on Saturday," he said. "At the plate, we're hitting the ball very well. The team has bought into our approach of aggressive hitting, being prepared at the plate, and situational hitting. It's paid off so far."

In both games, the Spartans took a first-inning lead. Cottrill smashed a two-out, two-run homer to open the scoring in the first game, and Cayuga added three more in the second inning on a single by Kiara Lovejoy and double by Abigail Marinelli. The Spartans put the first game away in the fourth inning with four two-out runs, highlighted by Doray DiLallo's RBI triple and Taylor Hunter's double.

Along with picking up the win in the first game, Cottrill went three-for-three with three runs and three RBI. DiLallo was two-for-three with three runs scored, and Marinelli was one-for-three with two RBI and a run.

In the second game, DiLallo's two-out solo homer and Hunter's RBI double opened the scoring in the first. Hunter doubled home Marinelli and DiLallo in the third inning, and Cayuga scored three more in the fourth on a DiLallo single and a double by Cottrill. An RBI single by Brittney Waters closed the scoring in the seventh.

Five Spartans had at least two hits in the second game, with DiLallo, Cottrill and Hunter each finishing with three hits. Waters and Tori Mandel both went two-for-four. Cottrill also picked up the win in the second game, striking out five and allowing only one hit.

Cayuga is back on the road Tuesday, April 12, at SUNY Broome. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.