The Canisius College softball team closed out its Spring Break trip to the state of Florida by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader from Bethune-Cookman Wednesday afternoon in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Golden Griffins scored a season-high eight runs in the top of the first inning en route to a 9-6 win in game one and then held off a late rally by the host Wildcats to secure a 2-1 victory in the second contest. The pair of wins improve Canisius to 10-9 on the year.
Canisius had eight players tally two or more hits in the sweep, with junior Jenny Maheu leading the way after she went 5-for-9 with a double, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Senior Katie Miranto went 4-for-8 with a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs, while freshman Lauren Hope picked up four hits in the two wins, including a double and a stolen base. Junior Angela Turrey (pictured) and freshman Emily Helbig aided the Griffs' 27-hit day by posting three hits apiece in the wins.
The Blue and Gold got the day started by sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring eight runs on seven hits. Maheu had two hits in the frame, starting things off with a single to right and then later doubling to right center, which drove in two more runs. Those eight runs would be all Canisius starter Lindsay Morris would need, as she picked up her third win of the season after she tossed four innings, where she gave up five runs on four hits to go with four strikeouts.
In the nightcap, Canisius took an early 1-0 lead in the top half of the first frame when Miranto singled through the right side to knock in Maheu, who started the second game with a base hit. Canisius added another run in the top of the third when Hope crossed the plate following a sacrifice bunt by Cameron Norton.
Junior Juliette Bowers improved to 5-1 in the circle for Canisius after she tossed six scoreless innings and gave up one hit while striking out four. Bowers was lifted for classmate Mallory Aldred, who tossed one inning of relief to earn her third save of the year.
Maheu and Hope each had two hits for the Griffs and both players scored a run in the victory as Canisius out-hit Bethune-Cookman 9-2 in the second game. Ashley Bonetto and Rachelle Barrientos also picked up base hits in the winning effort.
Canisius will return to action Sunday, March 30, when the team plays at Robert Morris. The doubleheader is set to begin at 11 a.m.
Game Notes: Wednesday's games against Bethune-Cookman marked the first meeting between the two schools since March 15, 2003, when the teams played at the Plant City Invitational in Plant City, Fla... Canisius closed out is Spring Break trip in Florida with a 5-5 record, earning wins in four of its last five games... The nine runs in the game one win stand as the most for the team this year... The last time the Griffs scored nine or more runs in a non-conference game was March 4, 2007, when the Griffs posted a 10-2 win over Longwood.
