WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Sarah Lawrence softball team wrapped up their spring break trip with a doubleheader against Notre Dame of Maryland University. First year
Caileigh Koenig threw eight innings while adding a two-run double in game two as the Gryphons pulled within striking distance late in the day's finale.
Notable Performers
- Koenig forced 11 groundouts in eight innings of work in addition to a two-run double and a stolen base
- Malia Rode tallied the only SLC hit in game one while driving in a run via a sacrifice fly in game two
- Kyra Johnsen finished out game two on the mound for SLC, going 1.2 innings and forcing a pair of flyouts
How it Happened
The Gryphons were held in check throughout game one for the most part, with
Ariana Spanopoulos reaching on a third-inning walk before a double play one batter later ended the inning and kepy the Gators in the lead. Johnsen led off the fourth inning, walking on a full count before stealing second to give SLC a runner in scoring position with no outs. After a strikeout, a groundball to the left side struck Johnsen, removing a runner from scoring position while placing Koenig at first with two outs. Rode came up to bat next, ripping a groundball right down the third-base line, but Notre Dame of Maryland's left fielder got the ball in, alongside a screen from the third baseman, and a throw home beat Koenig to keep the Gryphons off the board. The Gators put up three runs in the bottom of the fourth to move the score to 8-0, threatening to end the game early. The Gryphons came up to bat in the top of the fifth looking to extend the game, but the visitors went down in order and Notre Dame of Maryland took a win to open the day.
In game two, Johnsen got on base via another walk to start the game, but three straight outs to the Notre Dame of Maryland outfield ended the inning. The Gators added a run in the bottom half of the frame, with the Gryphons coming back to bat and looking to equalize.
Claire Rollins started the frame with a walk before stealing second to give the team a runner in scoring position with no outs. A strikeout would delay SLC's surge, but
Eva Anderson would step up and line one past the outstretched arms of the Gators' shortstop to put runners at the corners.
Annabelle Abruzzo steped up with one out, hoping to bring in the team's first run of the day and tie the day's nightcap at one run apiece. Abruzzo hit a one-hopper to second base, out on the play but the first year brought Rollins around to score before Anderson got caught advancing to third to end the inning. The hosts tacked one on in the bottom half of the inning to go up by a run once again, but the Gryphons looked to tie the game up again with a leadoff single to start the third.
Jordyn Carela lined a 1-1 pitch into center field to get the inning started for SLC, but a doubleplay on the next pitch would erase the scoring threat before an inning-ending strikeout allowed the Gators to carry a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the third. The home team held pace, scoring another run in the third to go up 3-1, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the inning and kept the Gryphons within two runs of the lead. Koenig and Rode both fell to start the fourth before Rollins battled to single after an eight-pitch at bat that gave SLC a runner. Rollins advanced to second on a throwing error by Notre Dame of Maryland, but an inning-ending strikeout stranded the first year in scoring position.
The Gators finally broke their streak of one-run frames in the bottom of the fourth, plating three runs on just two hits. Koenig was able to get out of the inning by inducing a ground ball out after a seven-pitch at bat, but the home team led 6-1 entering the fifth. The visitors went down in order to start the fifth while the home team added another score in the bottom half of the inning after Johnsen entered the game to relieve Koenig. Down 7-1 entering the sixth inning, the Gryphons had their best offensive showing of the day. Johnsen led the inning off by reaching on an error after battling through an eight-pitch at bat, giving the Gryphons a runner with the heart of the order coming up. Boissonnault stepped up next, ripping a ball through the left side to give the team a pair of runners with no outs. Koenig stepped into the left-hand batter's box, driving a ball to left field that found its way to the wall, bringing around both base runners and advancing to third on the throw home to put another just 60 feet away. Rode stepped into one just two pitches later, driving it to deep right field but into the waiting glove of a Gator. The ball would be deep enough to bring around Koenig in a close play at the plate and bring the Gryphons within three runs of the lead. Back-to-back groundouts would end the inning for SLC, but the damage was done and the Gryphons trailed 4-7. Despite the offensive surge in the top half of the innings, SLC would not be able to keep the comeback effort alive. The Gators rallied for five runs in the bottom half of the inning, tallying four hits, including a walk-off two-run double that sealed the win via a score of 12-4.
Up Next
The Gryphons will take a week off before returning to the field against Lehman College on March 16th. The Gryphons will take on the Lightning at 4:00 p.m. in the Bronx as they search for win number one of the 2026 season.
