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Jordan Krause
Jordan Krause

10-Run 1st in Opener and Walk-Off Run in Nightcap Equals Bentley Sweep

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A 10-run first inning in the opener and a walk-off run in the nightcap produced a sweep of West Chester University for the Bentley University softball team on Tuesday at the Diamondplex. The scores were 13-2 (5 innings) and 5-4.

The huge first inning in the opener featured a grand slam by graduate third baseman Kaileen Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge HS). Later in the frame, freshman left fielder Jordan Krause (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro HS) had a two-run single to center.

Sophomore designated player Morgan Fraitzl (Bedford, N.H./Bedford HS) finished three-for-four with two runs scored and one RBI, and both senior catcher Ella Hillier (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin HS) and sophomore shortstop Sabrina Grizzaffi (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield HS) had two hits and two RBI.

Benefitting from the big offensive attack was senior Elise Pereira (Plainville, Mass./King Philip Reg. HS). In the five-inning game, she allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out five.

In the bottom of the seventh of game two, hits by Cain and junior designated player Kaylee Mankins (North Attleboro, Mass./Bishop Feehan HS) put runners on the corners. Pinch-runner Kylee Amato (Bergenfield, N.J./Acad. of the Holy Angels) came home with the game-winner when Hillier's grounder to short was misplayed.

Earlier in the game, Bentley built a 4-1 lead with two runs in the second and single runs in the third and fourth. West Chester (8-8) battled back with one in the fifth and two in the sixth.

The Falcons' nine hits included two apiece for Amato and senior first baseman Nicole Gravagna (Riverhead, N.Y./St. Anthony's HS).

Freshman Dahlia Fink (Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame HS) earned the win with one scoreless inning of relief.

Bentley, which squared its record at 6-6, will face Dominican College        (N.Y.) at 9 am and St. Thomas Aquinas at 11:15 am.