MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Wildcats (8-5, 4-0 NEAC) took two from NEAC North Division rival Morrisville State on Saturday, winning in convincing fashion by scores of 9-2 and 9-1. Designated-hitter Juleah Vedder (Dolgeville, N.Y. / Dolgeville) had a monster weekend, going 2 for 4 in both games to finish with 4 hits and 6 RBI including a grand slam in the first game.
Morrisville pitcher Jenna D'Ercole did an impressive job scattering 18 SUNYIT hits on the day until the bottom of the sixth when, with two outs and the bases loaded, Vedder blasted her first home run of the conference season to put the Wildcats up 7-2.
Keeping the Mustangs at bay on the defensive end for the Wildcats was pitcher Erica Hovey (Dexter, N.Y. / Jefferson CC). Hovey was near unhittable, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs in the complete game win, her second of the week.
As an encore for the second game, Vedder took the ball from Hovey without missing a beat. The senior hurled a complete game 5-hitter, allowing just one run while striking out four Mustangs in a 9-1 rout. The Wildcats actually trailed heading into the bottom of the 4th, 1-0 behind a N. Duchene run in the third, but the 'Cats' bats would finally come alive as SUNYIT erupted for 6 runs.
Leading the way in the inning for the Wildcats was Bianca Brown (Utica, N.Y. / Utica-Proctor) who took the offensive baton from Vedder by driving in two runs with a double. It was just one of two extra base hits for Brown on the day, as the senior homered the next inning to finish the day 2 for 3 with 3 RBI.
Aiding Vedder and Brown in the Wildcats two victories were SUNYIT basketball teammates Lyndsey Brognano (Rome, N.Y. / RFA) and Kwanisha Jones (Philadelphia, N.Y. / Indian River) who give SUNYIT softball as strong a duo up the middle (shortstop and center field, respectively) as they were in the backcourt this past winter. Brognano finished 3 for 6 on the day while shining in the field – making an incredible diving play on a groundball in the second game; Jones, meanwhile, was a perfect 2 for 2 in the second game while both scoring and driving in a run.
The Wildcats' Sunday doubleheader with Cazenovia was postponed due to inclement weather. A make-up date has yet to be decided, but SUNYIT will next battle Hamilton College in another home doubleheader this Tuesday, April 3 starting at 3:30 pm.