PURCHASE, N.Y. — Following a postseason setback against top-seeded #1 Manhattanville University on Thursday afternoon, the SUNY Old Westbury softball team responded in a big way Friday afternoon with a 4-0 shutout victory over #3 Mount Saint Mary College in the Skyline Conference Softball Championship double-elimination round at Valients Softball Field in Purchase, N.Y.
With the win, the Panthers kept their postseason hopes alive and advanced in Skyline Tournament play.
Both teams were held scoreless through the opening five innings as the Panthers and Knights battled in a pitching duel early on.
Old Westbury finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning when Ashley Pierce launched a solo home run to center field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The Panthers added insurance runs in the seventh inning after Jessica Feerick delivered a three-run double down the left field line, scoring Olivia DeRose, Aliya Feerick and Olivia Toto to extend the lead to 4-0.
Old Westbury's defense and pitching continued to hold strong the rest of the way as the Panthers secured the shutout postseason victory.
WHAT OLD WESTBURY DID WELL?
The Panthers delivered timely hitting late in the contest, scoring all four runs across the final two innings.
Old Westbury also continued to show discipline at the plate, drawing six walks while capitalizing on key scoring opportunities.
In the circle, Olivia DeRose turned in a dominant complete-game performance, allowing just two hits while helping keep Mount Saint Mary off the scoreboard throughout the afternoon.
GAME LEADERS
Aliya Feerick: 2-for-3, R, 2B, BB
Jessica Feerick: 1-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B
Ashley Pierce: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, BB
Yelina Arias: 2-for-4
Olivia Toto: R, BB, SB
Katie Knecht: 1-for-4
Olivia DeRose: W, Complete-Game Shutout
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Panthers will now quickly regroup as they continue Skyline Conference postseason play later Friday afternoon against Farmingdale State College at 3 p.m. in a Skyline Tournament elimination matchup. Old Westbury will look to keep its postseason run alive in a win-or-go-home contest.
