BRONX --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College softball opened the 2023 season with a non-conference road doubleheader against the Lehman College Lightning (2-2) from South Field, falling 18-0 in game one, and producing three runs in a 24-3 defeat in the second encounter.

"In these two losses, we were able to identify our vulnerabilities and weaknesses and how to address what we need to improve. Perseverance from our pitchers - who will only get better in time. The ability to adjust to the opposing pitchers and make solid contact and patience at the plate. [Additionally], outfield did a good job tracking hits and quickly getting the ball to the infield."-said head coach Tracey Marshall

Game 1: Lehman 18, York 0 (5 Inn.)

• Lehman plated 11 runs on eight hits in the first inning.
• The Lightning extended their lead to 15-0 after two frames. 
• York broke into the hit column in the fourth with back-to-back one-out singles by Lisseny Florentino and Sofia Soric before Lehman's Samantha Nazar (W, 1-1; 5 IP, 2 H, 10 K) induced an inning-ending double play to escape out of the jam.  
• Nazar finished her complete game shutout with two strikeouts in the fifth inning.
• Offensively, the Lightning had the edge in hits (18-2) and walks (8-0).
• York committed three errors and stranded one runner on base while Lehman left four on.
• Nayelly Rojas (L, 0-1; 4 IP, 17 H, 11 ER) was dealt York's loss.

Game 2: Lehman 24, York 3 (5 Inn.)

• York tested Nazar (W, 2-1; 3 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K) in the opening frame as Florentino drew a one-out walk, and advanced to second two batters later on a Rojas single to center field. 
• The Cardinals were unable to break through as Andrea Wright's strikeout stranded two.  
• Kaycee Isley keyed a nine-run first inning for Lehman by delivering a three-run homer to open up a 5-0 lead.  
• Lehman pushed its advantage to 15-0 in the second frame on four hits and six walks. 
• York threatened in the third as Shamonie Miller was hit by the pitch and stole two bags before Nazar ended the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.     
• Seven runs on four hits and six walks in the home half of the third extended Lehman's lead to 22.  
• The Cardinals scored three runs in the fourth inning, as Melanie Guerrero  (1-for-2, RBI) laced an infield single to plate home Wright for the first run.
• Miller's hit by pitch (0-1, RBI, 2 SB) and Soric's (1-3, RBI) single up the middle brought home the next two runs to cap York's three-run fourth off reliever Sky Mercado (2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 4 K).
• Lehman added two runs in the fourth inning off reliever Soric (1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB) to settle the 24-3 final. 
• With the bat, the Lightning outplayed York in hits (24-5), walks (20-3) and stolen bases (10-2).
• York committed two errors and left seven runners on base while Lehman stranded two. 
• Rojas (L, 0-2; 3 IP, 13 H, 17 ER, 18 BB, 1 K) was tagged with the loss.

Up Next
The Cardinals (0-2) remain on the road Sunday (Mar. 19) with a non-conference doubleheader against the Yeshiva University Maccabees (0-4) starting at 12 p.m. from Fordham University's Bahoshy Field.

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