Oakdale, N.Y.- Making their second trip to Long Island in as many days, the Georgian Court University softball squad journeyed to Dowling College Friday afternoon, splitting a twin-bill with the Golden Lions in NCAA Division II non-conference competition. GCU breezed to a 10-3 victory in Game One before succumbing in the nightcap, 5-1.

The Lions end the day with an 8-11 mark while Dowling finishes at 7-10.

GAME ONE

Georgian Court jumped on the board first in the initial frame, courtesy of a RBI double to right by 3B Taylor McDonough. The Golden Lions responded in the home half of the first when 1B Samantha Laird (So.-Holbrook, N.Y.) launched a two-run shot over the left field fence for a 2-1 advantage.

GCU dialed it up in the top of the second by responding with five runs on three hits and a Dowling miscue to take a commanding 7-1 lead. The Golden Lions added another score in the bottom of the frame but Georgian Court put the contest well out of reach after plating three more runs in the sixth and a final insurance tally in the seventh.

Deanna Daluise (4-6) earned her team-leading fourth victory in the outing, yielding three runs (3 ER) on eight hits and two walks in seven complete innings. The senior also struck out four. Erika Nogan (Sr.-Seaford, N.Y.) fell to 0-4 on the year, permitting seven runs (5 ER) on five hits, two hit batters, and a lone bases-on-balls.

McDonough unleashed a 4-for-5 effort at the dish for the Lions, which included two doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored. 1B Emma Erbig cracked three hits (3-for-5) with two ribbies and a run scored. DP Kelly Hardiman also enjoyed a multi-hit performance with a run batted in.

GAME TWO

The two clubs remained scoreless for the first three innings of the nightcap before GCU snapped the stalemate in the top of the fourth, courtesy of a RBI single by RF Bryana Smith. The Golden Lions did not lay down as the home team pounced for three runs in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by ribbie doubles from CF Amber Fogarty (Jr.-Bay Shore, N.Y.) and 2B Erica Fischetti (Sr.-Seaford, N.Y.).

Dowling sealed the deal in the bottom of the fifth when Laird blasted her second two-run dinger of the afternoon, making the score 5-1.

Alisa Fjelstad (Jr.-Corona, Calif.) went six-plus innings for the victory (3-4), allowing one earned run on seven hits, three hit batsmen, and a walk. Abby Merryman dipped to 1-3 on the year, yielding five runs (5 ER) on seven hits. The freshman also struck out three batters.

Smith went 2-for-2 with the bat for GCU while 2B Justine Mattia also collected a pair of knocks (2-for-3).

Georgian Court takes to the road again this Tuesday with a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) doubleheader at the University of the Sciences. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.