The Stony Brook softball team won two of four games against some of the nation’s most recognizable teams at the University of South Florida Tournament from March 11 to 13.
The weekend’s most exciting matchup resulted in a loss, as pitcher Dawn Bodrug tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out 14 batters to take a game against No. 22 South Florida into extra innings. But South Florida’s Georgina Corrick, one of the nation’s top pitchers, held the Seawolves scoreless, allowing the Bulls to win on a walk-off single in the eighth.
Stony Brook also lost to Ohio State but defeated UMass and Army.
Catcher Corinne Badger, who hit six home runs in Stony Brook’s first tournament of the year, went 4-for-12 over the weekend and hit a home run against Army. She remains on pace to shatter the program record of 19 home runs in a season.
Utility player Catherine Anne Kupinski had five RBIs.
The Seawolves opened their trip down south with a nail biting victory over UMass, going up 7-0 in the fifth inning and fending off a late rally to win 7-6.
“It was a solid day for us as we continue to get games under our belt and learn what it takes to be successful against the competition we are playing,” head coach Megan T. Bryant said in a press release. “Execution and taking care of the little things are key. So are consistent energy and competitiveness.”
Shortstop Nicole McCarvill tacked on a two-run homer to a series of sacrifice flies to lead the Seawolves’ offensive explosion.
Pitcher Shelbi Denman allowed only one hit in the first four innings, but allowed a UMass rally that culminated in a three-run triple in the sixth inning.
Bodrug entered after the triple and earned her first career save. She struck out three of the five batters she faced.
Bodrug faltered in a 6-3 loss against Ohio State later in the day. The Buckeyes squeezed her for 10 hits while holding Stony Brook hitless through the final four innings.
The score was tied 3-3 in the fourth inning, but three consecutive Ohio State batters drove in runs to put the game out of reach.
Bodrug’s squandered gem came against South Florida the next morning.
Left fielder Shauna Nuss started on second base as an automatic runner in the top of the eighth inning and quickly stole third base. But Corrick needed only five pitches to retire the next three Seawolves batters, intentionally walking third baseman Kyra McFarland in between.
Bodrug allowed only three hits and walked two, but she gave up a single to right fielder Alexis Johns that drove in the winning run.
It’s difficult to blame the Seawolves’ bats for their performance against Corrick, who has allowed only one earned run in 106 innings pitched this year. Center fielder Alicia Orosco was the only player to get a hit against her.
“It was an intense battle and I couldn’t be prouder of our team,” Bryant said. “We created chances to put runners in scoring position, but just couldn’t push one across against one of the best pitchers in the country. We played tough defense and Dawn was lights out in the circle. It was an elite performance by her. It was a great atmosphere and we have a lot to take away from this one.”
Stony Brook concluded the tournament with a 10-1 blowout of Army that ended by mercy rule after five innings. Eight Seawolves batters had RBIs, and Orosco and Badger had two runs each.
Denman allowed two hits and an RBI double in the first inning but just three more hits the rest of the game.
“We played a complete game today to successfully cap off a very good weekend for our team,” Bryant said. “Shelbi threw a great game, our defense was solid and we were so productive offensively, scoring in many ways throughout the lineup. We are responding well to our tough schedule and figuring out what it takes for us to win.”
