ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd softball team held the visiting Mercy (NY) Mavericks scoreless in a Monday afternoon doubleheader at the Turley Athletic Complex, which saw the Tritons collect a 1-0 victory in the opener and a 2-0 win in the finale. Both Kensley Durrance and Brielle Benefield tossed complete-game shutouts, as Durrance collected a career-high 10 strikeouts, and Benefield picked up her first career win in her first start of the season.
The Tritons rode the arm of Durrance in game one on the way to her sixth win of the season. EC needed just one run to secure the game, which came in the fifth inning when Caroline Lane delivered a pinch-hit RBI single for what ended up as the game-winning RBI, scoring Megan Diaz, who doubled. The Tritons held on for a 1-0 win to begin the day.
The pitcher's duel continued in game two, with neither team able to muster much offense. However, Jenice Casanas led off the third inning with a single to right field, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and finally scored the game-winning run on an errant throw on a failed pick-off. In the sixth inning, Brenna Lokeinsky's sacrifice fly added some insurance as the Tritons took game two, 2-0.
HOW IT ENDED
Game 1
Final: Eckerd 1, Mercy 0
WP: Durrance (6-3) LP: Benson (2-6)
Game 2
Final: Eckerd 2, Mercy 0
WP: Benefield (1-1) LP: Gonzalez (0-5)
Records: Eckerd 15-9 (5-7 SSC); Mercy (2-16)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Durrance's dominant performance earned her sixth win of the season. She pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
- In the first start of her career, Benefield tossed a complete-game shutout and earned her first win, scattering five hits with one strikeout without issuing a walk.
- Skylar Redish and Megan Diaz collected two hits apiece in game one.
- Kayla Hurley registered two hits in game two, both doubles.
- Lane and Lokeinsky each had an RBI on the day.
- Brooklyn Cardona drew three walks in the finale.
UP NEXT
Eckerd hosts West Georgia for an afternoon doubleheader on Tuesday at 1:00 PM.
