BELLEROSE, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College softball showcased its strongest offensive output of the season Monday, scoring a season-high seven runs in the finale of a non-conference home doubleheader against the Sarah Lawrence College Gryphons (4-18) at Padavan-Preller Fields, but dropped both contests, 17-3 and 16-7.

Game 1: Sarah Lawrence 17, York 3 (5 Inn.)

• Sarah Lawrence plated three runs in the top of the first inning off starter Melina Abreu (L, 0-4; 5 IP, 12 H, 11 ER, 8 BB, 2 SO). With runners on first and second and one out, Caileigh Koenig (2-for-3, 3 R, 3 RBI) smacked a two-run double to center field. She later scored on a run-scoring single by Shirin Pechefsky (2-for-3, R, RBI).
• The Cardinals battled right back, notching three runs in the bottom of the frame. The rally began when Madison Keir was hit by a pitch. Jaymie Mateo singled (1-for-2, R), and Abreu walked to load the bases. Demonstrating great speed, Keir scored on a Jaylene Riley pop-up for the first run. York added two more runs on a Sarah Lawrence fielding error and a wild pitch by starter Koenig (W, 2-17; 5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, BB, 8 SO).
• Each pitcher tossed a scoreless second inning to keep the score tied at three.
• The Gryphons broke the game open in the third, scoring five runs on a mix of walks, infield singles, and defensive miscues to take an 8-3 lead.
• Sarah Lawrence extended its advantage in the fourth, tacking on nine more runs. The inning began with a walk and two singles to load the bases before consecutive walks brought in two runs. Kyra Johnsen (2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI) followed with a two-run single to make it 12-3. The Gryphons added five more runs on additional hits, walks, errors, and a sacrifice fly, putting a bookmark on the scoring.
• York threatened in the bottom of the fifth after Samantha Panameno (1-for-3) singled, stole second, and moved to third on a passed ball, but Koenig stranded her there by striking out Keir to end the game.

Game 2: Sarah Lawrence 16, York 7 (5 Inn.)

• The Gryphons jumped out to an early lead with a three-run opening frame against York starter Howes (L, 0-2; 5.0 IP, 10 H, 14 ER, 12 BB, 2 SO), as Malia Rode's (2-for-3, HR, 2B, 3 R, 7 RBI, 2 BB) two-run double broke the scoring ice. Rode then advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice hit by Koenig. 
• York responded in the home half of the inning, when Jaylene Riley (3-for-3, R, 4 RBI) delivered a two-run single to plate Abreu (1-for-3, 2 R) and Mateo (2-for-2, 3 R, BB), both of whom reached on walks issued by Koenig (W, 3-17; 5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO), trimming the deficit to 3-2.
• Sarah Lawrence scored two unearned runs in the second, taking advantage of York control issues and defensive miscues, as a wild pitch and throwing error on the same at-bat led to both runs scoring.
• Sarah Lawrence capitalized on four walks and a hit-by-pitch, adding five hits in the third inning as the Gryphons took a 12-2 lead. Johnsen (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB) singled home two runs, and two batters later, Rode's grand slam capped a seven-run surge over a four-batter span. Howes then worked out of a bases-loaded jam, recording a strikeout and inducing a groundout to strand three runners.
• Mateo opened York's third-inning scoring with a single to drive in Keir (0-for-1, R, 2 BB, SB). Two batters later, Riley capped her three-hit day by racing around the bases for an inside-the-park two-run homer down the left field line.
• After a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, Sarah Lawrence pushed across four runs in the fifth, with three coming on bases-loaded walks and another on a sacrifice hit.
• Mateo singled with one out to record her second career multi-hit game, and Abreu and Riley followed with singles to load the bases for Howes, who grounded into a sacrifice to bring home a run. A throwing error kept the inning alive, allowing Abreu to score the game's final run.

Up Next
The Cardinals (0-11, 0-4 CUNYAC) hit the road Wednesday (Apr. 15) for a CUNYAC doubleheader against the Brooklyn College Bulldogs (9-17, 2-2 CUNYAC) starting at 4 p.m. from Brooklyn College Field.

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