Women's Softball Highlights
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May 3, 2008
SLC vs. Mt. St. Vincent
Semifinals of HVWAC Conference
The Sarah Lawrence softball team traveled to the College of St. Elizabeth in western New Jersey on Saturday where they competed in the semi-finals of the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference tournament. Their opponent: the top-seed Dolphins from Mt. St. Vincent. Sarah Lawrence was beaten earlier in the season in a doubleheader by these Dolphins. And, unfortunately for Sarah Lawrence, the result was repeated today as the Gryphons fell 8-0.
In the first inning, events seemed as if they were off to an auspicious start for Sarah Lawrence when Kheryn Callender hustled for an infield hit. But it would be the only hit on the afternoon for the Gryphons. Mount Saint Vincent's pitcher was dominant the entire game. A couple of walks and an error aided the Dolphins' cause in the bottom of the first, as Sarah Lawrence yielded five runs in the opening frame. The Gryphons tightened up their game in the remaining innings but weren't able to generate any offense. Danielle DiPalermo and Sydney Alvis-Jennings hurled admirably against a potent Dolphin offense. Betsy Dupuis again had a solid defensive day, gathering three assists and two put-outs.
Mary LeVine, coach of Sarah Lawrence, commented on her team's season after the game. "All team members contributed positively in both practices and game situations. The team improved tremendously through the season – a fact that was commented on by all other coaches at the tournament. These Gryphons carried on the proud tradition of sportsmanship, effort and integrity that has been the hallmark of previous SLC softball squads and laid a solid foundation for next season." Indeed, it appears that the Sarah Lawrence softball program is progressing rapidly as many players will be returning next year. One player who definitely won't be coming back is Allison Grande, senior co-captain, who is graduating in two weeks. Allison will be missed as she has exhibited leadership both on and off the field of play.
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April 30, 2008
SLC vs. College of New Rochelle
Play-In Game for HVWAC Tournament
For the second time in four days, the Sarah Lawrence softball team faced off against the Blue Angels of the College of New Rochelle. In that previous game Danielle DiPalermo tossed a historic no-hitter for the Gryphons. And today's game had even more importance attached to it—the winner would move on to join three other teams in the HVWAC tournament this upcoming weekend. So with that in mind, Coach Mary LeVine implored her players to continue doing what they had done of late—that is augment the increasing offensive power with stable defense. The Gryphons did just that, giving their most all-around performance of the season, coasting to a 12-1 triumph, earning a trip to New Jersey on Saturday for the tournament. The victory also avenged last year's defeat at the hands of New Rochelle in the play-in game.
In softball –as in baseball– it all starts with pitching. And Danielle picked up where she left off, tossing three shut out innings to start the game. That's all the protection Sarah Lawrence needed as the Gryphon bats came alive early. Sarah Lawrence wasted no time getting the offense going as Betsy Dupuis led off the game with a double, stole third base and then scored on a passed ball. Kheryn Callender worked a walk, advanced on a passed ball and then scored on Emma MacHugh's RBI single. Quinci Land added another single in the first as the Gryphon offense gained momentum and all nine players in the line-up came to the plate. Sharp and aggressive base running helped the Gryphons manufacture runs throughout the course of the game as the team scored two or more runs in each inning. The bottom of the second was highlighted by doubles from the bats of Dupuis and Kate Mountz and another RBI by MacHugh. Nora Tillmans and DuPuis scored for the Gryphons in the third. Kate Mountz opened the bottom of the fourth with a single and Hayleigh Thompson kept the pressure on with a single. Betsy DuPuis drove in two runs with her third double of the day. Kheryn Callender completed the Gryphons run production with her RBI single as the Gryphons took a commanding 12-1 lead heading into the fifth. CNR threatened in the top of the fifth as the first two batters reached base. But with runners on first and second and no outs, Emma Levine ran down a long fly ball to right and the Gryphons pulled off the unusual 9-3-6 double play to end the threat. The Gryphons sealed the victory with another great defensive play by Kate Mountz, her fourth assist of the day. Sydney Alvis Jennings also had a good day on the mound, allowing only two hits and striking out one in the final two innings of the game.
The squad will have three days to rest up before taking on the powerful Mt. St. Vincent team in the semi-finals of the HVWAC tournament on Saturday. Whatever the outcome, the team should be proud of having made such significant progress to put them in the position to make some noise in the tournament.
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April 27, 2008
SLC vs. College of New Rochelle
There is no sport that has any statistic or accomplishment that quite equals the singularity and uniqueness of the no-hitter in baseball and softball. It is a rare occurrence, something to be savored as pitching acumen must fall in line with luck and circumstance to produce such a feat. And such was the case for Danielle DiPalermo and the Sarah Lawrence softball team in the second game of their doubleheader against HVWAC foe College of New Rochelle on Sunday at the Gryphons' home field. Danielle pitched brilliantly and, backed up by a tight Sarah Lawrence defense, threw the first no-hitter in Sarah Lawrence history. This extraordinary performance was matched by an increasingly explosive Gryphon offensive juggernaut. Sarah Lawrence amassed 36 runs on the afternoon in cruising to twin victories by the scores of 25-15 and 11-0. A more perfect ending to the regular season could not have been scripted any better. These were the first victories of the year for Sarah Lawrence and they afford the Gryphons to host the opening game of the HVWAC tournament on Wednesday evening.
In addition to Danielle's magnificent accomplishment, accolades were aplenty for Sarah Lawrence on the afternoon. Senior co-captain Allison Grande went four for five with a double in the opening game. Kate Mountz had her best game of the season, hitting three doubles and driving in six runs in the opener. Betsy Dupuis led the offense in game two, collecting three hits and three RBI's. Her strong hitting was matched by Allison who went two for two with yet another double and an amazing three stolen bases. And Kheryn Callender added two RBI's and two stolen bases.
With the team peaking at just the right moment, Coach Mary LeVine has reason to be pleased as the team heads into the post-season tournament well-positioned to make some noise in the HVWAC. To watch the team progress so steadily throughout the season has been a source of pride for Coach LeVine and the entire Gryphon squad.
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April 26, 2008
SLC vs. York College
The Sarah Lawrence softball team has shown an increasing proclivity to offensive efficiency of late and on Saturday afternoon against York College at the Gryphon home field, Sarah Lawrence proved they were a sleeping giant on offense as they exploded for a total of twenty one runs in the doubleheader. Unfortunately, despite the scoring output Sarah Lawrence went down to defeat in both games, falling 17-9 and 21-12.
Sophomore Kate Mountz had an outstanding all-around performance for Sarah Lawrence. Kate proved to be a multi-threat player as she went a combined five for eight at the plate with 2 RBI's and also contributed three putouts and four assists on the afternoon. Fellow sophomore Emma MacHugh had an equally impressive afternoon, with four hits in seven at bats, including a triple, 3 RBI's and three stolen bases. First year Betsy Depuis had a fine defensive day with six putouts and three assists.
Tomorrow afternoon the Gryphons will host the final regular season game when they battle the College of New Rochelle in a critical HVWAC encounter. At stake will be home field advantage for the first round of the HVWAC tournament. If present form holds, Sarah Lawrence will look to have another high-scoring day on offense.
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April 23, 2008
SLC vs. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn
Having improved steadily throughout the course of the short season thus far, Sarah Lawrence put that improvement to the test when they faced off against conference powerhouse St. Joseph's-Brooklyn on Wednesday evening. Playing on their home field the Gryphons evidenced continued upgrading of their skills –especially offensively– but fell short in the doubleheader, falling 15-4 and 12-3.
Scoring runs against such a strong pitching squad as St. Joseph's is no easy feat and Sarah Lawrence should feel rightfully pleased as Gryphon runners crossed the plate in both contests. First year Kheryn Callender lead the offensive attack for the Gryphons, accumulating three hits for the day in six at-bats, including a double and an RBI. Co-captain Quinci Land also had a strong day at the plate. The Los Angeles native notched hits in both games, going two for four on the afternoon. Kate Mountz was again the defensive anchor for Sarah Lawrence, notching six assists.
Sarah Lawrence will wrap up the season this weekend with two home contests—versus York College on Saturday and then a crucial HVWAC game against the College of New Rochelle on Sunday. The Gryphons would like to gain some momentum heading into the conference tournament next week.
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April 18, 2008
SLC vs. Mt. St. Vincent
Sports are more commonly implemented for use as metaphors and comparisons than any other topic. Though this can have a trivializing effect at times, it is nonetheless true that sports frequently offer life lessons. With sports, as in life, one can only hope to improve and play one's best with each passing game or season. And so it has been the case for Mary LeVine's softball team this spring, with the squad showing often dramatic improvement with each game. On Friday evening Sarah Lawrence traveled south a few miles, visiting the Dolphins from Mt. St. Vincent for a doubleheader. Mt. St. Vincent has already clinched the HVWAC regular season. Knowing the daunting task that awaited them, the Gryphons went out and delivered their best performance of the 2008 campaign.
In the opening tilt, behind the strong pitching of Sydney Alvis-Jennings (1st game) and Danielle DiPalermo (2nd game), the Gryphons played inspired defense—recording their first '1-2-3' innings of the season. All players contributed with at least one put out or assist. Though Sarah Lawrence was only able to muster one hit in the first game (senior Allison Grande's double) the Gryphon bats came alive in the second game, accumulating six runs, their highest scoring output of the year. Allison Grande once again provided the initial spark with a fourth inning double, her third two-bagger of the season. Emma MacHugh followed with a single and fellow sophomore Emma Levine drove in her first run of the season with a single. SLC tailled four runs in the inning. The Gryphons were not finished as they rallied for two more runs in the sixth. Danielle DiPalermo singled and then scored when Betsy DuPuis smacked a triple to right center. DuPuis then scored on a double by Kate Mountz.
To have such a comprehensive performance –pitching, defense and hitting– against the conference powerhouse will surely build more confidence for Sarah Lawrence. The Gryphons will look to have another strong outing when they host St. Joseph's on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
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April 13, 2008
SLC vs. College of St. Elizabeth
The Sarah Lawrence softball team journeyed across the Hudson to western New Jersey where they engaged in a doubleheader against the College of St. Elizabeth Eagles on Sunday. The Gryphons came up short, losing both games by the scores of 12-1 and 12-4 respectively. However, Sarah Lawrence showed marked improvement in all phases of the game and should take a significant measure of encouragement from their efforts.
After being shut out in both ends of a doubleheader last weekend Sarah Lawrence was able to score runs in both games on Sunday, boosting the confidence of the team. And it wasn't just the offense that exhibited amelioration - Coach Mary LeVine's squad displayed aggressiveness on the bases, sharper defense and wiser decision making. The first run scored of the season for Sarah Lawrence was testament to the heads-up play; first-year Wisconsin native Betsy Dupuis earned a walk, stole second and third and then scored on a fielders choice ground ball by Kheryn Callender. Being assertive on the base-paths was imperative in the first game as St. Elizabeth's pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts.
Determined to increase their run tally in the second game, Sarah Lawrence was more aggressive at the plate and it paid off as the Gryphons were able to push four runs across the plate in the closing game. And more telling is the lack of strikeouts, with only two Gryphon whiffs recorded in the game, evidence of smarter at-bats. Senior Captain, and catcher, Allison Grande jump-started the offense with a long double to right center, driving in a run. Grande then scored on a single by Emma McHugh. The remaining runs were scoredin the final inning when Rachel Schneider was hit by a pitch and moved to second asHayleigh Thompson singled for herfirst hit of the season. BetsyDupuis smacked a double over the head of the center fielder, driving in both Schneider and Thompson.
Sarah Lawrence's next game will be at Mt. St. Vincent. The Gryphons will make the trip to the Bronx to take on the Dolphins this Friday afternoon at 4. Sarah Lawrence will enter the contest with increasing confidence, especially on offense.
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First Game: April 5, 2008
SLC vs. Maritime College
"Hope springs eternal..." Alexander Pope
Opening Day is a significant event for any sport. But there is just something more essentially special about the start of the season for baseball and softball –much literary and poetic musings have trumpeted the arrival of the sport, coinciding with the return of warmth and sun– along with the rebirth of the soul.
So it is with this sense of enthusiasm that Coach Mary LeVine's squad commenced the 2008 campaign at Marshall Field on the west side of campus when they took on powerful non-conference opponent Maritime College on Saturday. Unfortunately the Gryphons came up on the wrong side of the scores, losing in twin shutouts 24-0 and 13-0. Though Sarah Lawrence failed to score a run in either game, the team displayed significant improvement in the second contest. And there were some notable performances, especially that of first-year center fielder Kheryn Callender. The Virgin Islands native batted 1 for 2 in her first ever softball game. Kheryn had never even held a softball until the team held preseason practice in February. Her efforts were tangibly rewarded as she garnered the HVWAC Rookie of the Week Award.
The team has many new players, with only one senior on the 11-women roster. Coach LeVine's chief challenge will be to quickly form a cohesive unit. The team has already exhibited tremendous enthusiasm and dedication - and with these qualities already in place, it should be a rewarding and enjoyable season for the Gryphons.
Sarah Lawrence's next game is at the College of St. Elizabeth on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., marking the start of HVWAC conference play.