FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 12, 2007

2007 NCAA Div. III Softball Tournament
New England Region Score Report

Providence, RI

GAME NINE

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#5 Endicott (31-12)

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#7 Emerson (24-17)

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Battaglia & Boyden’s 12^th Inning Heroics Lead Emerson Past Endicott
Drobiarz Goes the Distance to Keep Lions NCAA Journey Going

Providence, RI—Seventh-seeded Emerson College came from behind twice in extra innings to down fifth-seeded Endicott College, 3-2, in game nine of the 2007 NCAA Div. III New England Regional Softball Tournament at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex on Saturday morning. Freshman designated player Nikki Battaglia (Freehold, NJ) tied the game up, while senior catcher Jen Boyden (Chester, NH) ended the contest with RBI singles. Emerson senior pitcher Heather Drobiarz (Old Saybrook, CT) threw 169 pitches, 107 of which were strikes, to earn her 14^th (14-8) win of the season. She allowed two runs on 10 hits, while striking out three, to earn her 16^th complete game.

The Lions (24-17) advance to play the winner of fourth-seeded Keene State vs. third-seeded Wellesley (1:30) at 5:30 p.m. in an elimination game. The Gulls (31-12) bow out of the tournament with their second loss (1-2).

It took over two hours for both teams to finally crack the scoring column. Endicott freshman third baseman Sarah Spaziano (Norton, MA) hit a two-out single to left field to score junior left fielder Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME) in the top of the11^th inning to put the Gulls up 1-0.

With their backs against the wall, the Lions notched the equalizer in the bottom of the 11^th. Boyden and junior center fielder Mallory Moretti (Westerly, RI) each singled. With two outs and runners on first and second, sophomore shortstop Catie McDonough (North Adams, MA) singled to left field to plate Boyden with the tying run. Emerson almost won the game as freshman right fielder Bridget Farago (Oneonta, NY) nearly beat out a grounder to shortstop which could have ended the game.

Endicott struck back in the top of the 12^th as freshman shortstop Jenna Lazar (Milton, MA) belted a two-out RBI triple to left field to score junior center fielder Paula McGinn (Lynn, MA), but once again the Lions answered with the tying and decisive runs in the bottom of the frame.

Drobiarz retired 10 of the first 11 batters she faced. With two down and runners on first and third, Lions junior third baseman Lindsay DeStefano (Glocester, RI) cut down Endicott junior left fielder Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME) at home as part of a delayed steal to keep the contest scoreless after four frames.

Endicott freshman starting pitcher Maria Mangine (Lockport, NY) pitched four innings of scoreless softball, allowing seven hits, while striking out three. Mangine surrendered two leadoff hits to the Lions in the top of the fifth and was lifted for senior Robyn Savitske (Hellertown, PA) who retired the next three batters to end the inning.

The Gulls threatened again in the top of the sixth, putting runners on second and third with one out. Drobiarz got Danielle Sargent to line out to right field and struck out sophomore catcher Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, MA) to keep zeroes on the scoreboard.

The Lions had their chance in the eighth, putting two aboard, but Sargent tracked down Boyden’s deep foul drive to left at the fence to continue the game.

In the 10^th, Spaziano walked for the Gulls and advanced to second on sophomore left fielder Casey Shanley’s (Billerica, MA) bunt single to start the frame. The pair were sacrificed to second and third, but Drobiarz got out of the jam with two pop outs.

Savitske threw seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, while striking out five. Sophomore reliever Jackie Collier (Swampscott, MA) came on in the 12^th for Savitske, but could not stop the Lions’ surge. She allowed one run on two hits.

-Complete box score to follow-