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Montclair, NJ (May 12, 2013) – The DeSales University softball team left 10 players on-base, including eight in scoring position, as Susquehanna University manufactured the eventual game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning ending DSU's season with a school-record 30 wins on the season.
The Bulldogs finish their season with a 30-12-1 overall record, setting the single-season mark for wins and advancing to their second NCAA Tournament after winning the Freedom Conference Championship.
SU struck first in Sunday's game taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when
Lauren Gilbert came up with a clutch two-out single scoring
Amanda Neveroski who tripled with one out.
DSU wasted no time tying the game when sophomore
Taylor Kelly doubled home senior
Courtney McKenna who walked and moved to second on a Crusader passed ball in the top of the third inning.
The game remained tied at one entering the fifth inning when SU's
Brianna Murphy singled with two outs. Murphy, who led Susquehanna with 23 steals entering the game, took huge leads on each pitch and when sophomore
Shelby Wilson tossed a pick-off attempt to first base, Murphy broke for second, stealing the bag easily. A few pitches later, Murphy broke for third after Wilson had tossed the ball back to the pitcher and a strong throw from freshman
DJ McCauley was just late and Murphy trotted home on a base hit by
Kathryn Gilbert giving SU a 2-1 lead.
DSU had chances to score in nearly every inning. In the fifth, McCauley tripled with one out but was left stranded on back-to-back pop-ups. DeSales also loaded the bases with one out in the fourth and were unable to score and in the top of the seventh, Kelly singled with one out and SU walked McCauley on four pitches putting runners on first and second but two more pop outs ended the threat, allowing the Crusaders to advance.
McCauley suffered the loss despite pitching well allowing just five hits and two runs over six innings. Kelly and freshman
Samantha Gibson each had two hits in the loss.