Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Gameday Preview

ELMIRA, NY (www.OLDWESTBURYPANTHERS.com) – The SUNY College at Old Westbury softball team is headed into Saturday's Skyline Conference opener having lost four straight, with two road losses coming against the Elmira Soaring Eagles on Thursday afternoon from Eldridge Park.  Old Westbury fell by scores of 9-8 and 5-2, moving its record to 5-7 on the season while Elmira improved to 2-0

In game one, Old Westbury took an early 2-0 lead in the third off a wild pitch that scored Alex Heaney and a sacrifice fly scored Marissa Brightman.  The Soaring Eagles took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third off five hits and one error.  Mikayla Bean stroked a double to score Shannon Nell followed by Sarah Johnson's RBI single that led to Erin Pruess scoring.  Bean scored the go head run that proved to be the game-winner on an error by OW catcher Samantha Siegler.  Elmira scored solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings as Pruess slapped an RBI triple and Alex Andrade singled home Bean to close out the game one scoring.   

Alyssa Clancy suffered the setback in game one, striking out four, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits.  Deborah Ciccarelli worked two scoreless innings in relief of Clancy, whiffing two batters.  Sarah Johnson struck out six and gave up two runs to earn the complete game win for Elmira.

Jennifer Jean led the way for Old Westbury with a 2-for-3 game at the plate.  Marissa Brightman doubled to register Old Westbury's lone extra base hit.  Erin Pruess (2-3, RBI, R), Mikayla Bean (2-3, RBI, 2 R) and Alex Andrade paced Elmira with multiple hits.

Eight different Soaring Eagles registered a hit as Elmira held the advantage in hits (11-7) and extra base hits (4-1), while stranding eight runners, compared to Old Westbury's six.  Old Westbury committed three infield errors. 

Old Westbury jumped out in front 3-0 in game two off a three-run triple by Jennifer Jean in the third.  Old Westbury planted three more runs in the fourth, using Marissa Brightman's two-run double followed by an infield error that scored Brightman for a 6-0 lead.  The Soaring Eagles answered with three in the fourth and five in the fifth as Old Westbury scored solo runs in the fifth and sixth to knot the game at 8-all.  Shannon Nelligan pushed across the game-winner with a single in the bottom of the seventh to lift Elmira to the come from behind victory. 

Jennifer Jean (2-4, 3 RBI, R) and Samantha Siegler (2-4, RBI, R) paced Old Westbury with multiple hits while Marissa Brightman drove in two runs and Samantha Howley score twice.  Shannon Nelligan led Elmira with four RBI in a 2-for-4 game at the plate.  Mikayla Bean (2-4, RBI, 2 R) and Alex Andrade (2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R) followed with multiple hits.

Deborah Ciccarelli fanned three in six innings and was stuck with the loss after serving up nine runs (eight earned) off 11 hits and three walks.  Megan Anderson (1-1) picked up Elmira's win by tossing three innings of relief for starter Katie Hobson, striking out two while giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks.   

Elmira outhit Old Westbury, 11-8, while the Panthers grabbed a 2-1 advantage in extra base hits. Old Westbury stranded eight runners compared to Elmira's seven.  Elmira had four errors and Old Westbury registered three.

NYU-POLY FIGHTING BLUE JAYS UP NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS: The Panthers are back in action on Saturday (Mar. 24) for a Skyline Conference opening doubleheader at home against the NYU-Poly Fighting Blue Jays from the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Old Westbury, New York and LIVE STATS are available by logging onto www.sidearmstats.com/oldwest/softball.

For the latest news on the Panthers, log on to www.oldwestburypanthers.com – the official site for Old Westbury athletics. Also, become a follower of the Panthers on Twitter (OW_Panthers) and "LIKE" Us on Facebook (Old Westbury Panthers Athletics).