Lawrence rallies late to down D’Youville

CLERMONT, Fla. — The Lawrence University softball team rallied for single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to down D’Youville College 3-2 in a nonconference game on Friday at the National Training Center.

Shannon Murray went 3-for-3, drove in a run and picked up the save for Lawrence (8-4). Kara Vance got the win and went 2-for-3 with a run batted in.

Lawrence trailed 2-1 heading into the sixth inning, but the Vikings tied it in that frame. Alex Chiodo led off the inning with a walk, and pinch-runner Mary Diduch swiped second. After a strikeout, Vance doubled to score Diduch and tie the game at 2-2.

The Vikings then mounted a two-out rally in the seventh to surge ahead. Murray started the rally with a single, and Anna Wawiorka followed with a run-scoring double to give Lawrence a 3-2 lead.

Vance gave up a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh, and Murray came on to close out the Spartans (0-3). Murray retired the next three batters in order to earn the save. Vance allowed seven hits, struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Lawrence grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when Kaye doubled and later scored on Murray’s double. D’Youville scored twice in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead.