Philadelphia, Pa.- After dropping a 3-1 decision in game one, JoLei Buonanno set the tone immediately for Georgian Court University in the nightcap as the freshman shortstop blasted a first-inning grand slam, securing a 5-1 victory and a crucial split for the Lions Sunday afternoon at Philadelphia University in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) softball action.

GCU completes a solid 5-1 week of conference play and improves to 6-18 on the year. The Lady Rams tumble to 7-11 overall (4-2 CACC).

GAME ONE

Philadelphia got on the board in the bottom half of the first after a GCU throwing error brought home an unearned run for the Lady Rams. The Lions countered in the top of the second after a Meghan Sfraga single plated Kelly Hardiman (walk) to lock the score at 1-1.

The home team quickly swiped the lead back to their side in the bottom of the third on a ribbie single up the middle from 3B Mariah Hans (Fr.-Barrington, N.J.) to make it 2-1 Philly. The Lady Rams would add an insurance run in the sixth frame after a Shannon Weaver (So.-Sinking Spring, Pa.) squeeze-bunt single scored pinch-runner Emma Haley (Sr.-Jensen Beach, Fla.).

Nicole Troisi (Sr.-Norristown, Pa) scattered five hits (1 R, 1 ER) and walked four in the complete game, improving to 3-3 in the circle for Philadelphia. GCU's Abby Merryman fell to 3-4 for the Lions, yielding three runs (2 ER) on eight hits and two walks (3 K) over six innings.

Stefanie Aplin (2-for-3) provided a pair of Georgian Court's five hits and is now batting .365 in her maiden season with the Lions.

GAME TWO

Dara Schroeder and Alyssa Paradiso led off the second contest with infield singles for the Lions, followed by a one-out bases-on-balls from Hardiman. With the bags juiced, Buonanno proceeded to launch her first collegiate home run, a shot over the left-field fence, to put GCU ahead, 4-0, before the Lady Rams would even pick up their bats.

The Lions would increase the lead to 5-0 in the top of the fourth, courtesy of a Schroeder RBI ground out to short.

Katie Sorochka permitted just one run (1 ER) on four hits (0 BB) while striking out two in the seven-inning gem. Philadelphia's Samantha Abromavage (Sr.-Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) fell to 3-3 with the loss.

Apiln (2-for-4) collected her second multi-hit effort of the day. Schroeder went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases in the contest.

The Lions return home Tuesday for a CACC twin-bill vs. Holy Family University. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.