Lakewood, N.J. -
Samantha Reilly's season for the ages reached its latest pinnacle Sunday afternoon as the sweet-swinging slugger surpassed a 17-year-old program milestone by launching her 18th home run of the season in game one of a two-game sweep vs. visiting Chestnut Hill College.
A two-run dinger to right-center in the third inning of the Lions' 8-4 opening triumph vs. the Griffins put Reilly atop the Lions' single-season long-ball list, replacing
Lisa Hollis who had held the record with 17 round trippers since 2001.
GCU plated runs in all but one frame in the victory, ripping 12 overall hits in the contest. Five Lions netted two hits apiece in the win, including
Caitlin Hughes (2-for-4, 3 R, 3B),
Samantha Salomon (2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI), Reilly (2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B),
Malaya Black (2-for-4) and
Mikaela Power (2-for-3).
Jessica O'Neil went the distance to earn the victory for the home team, permitting four runs (four earned) on eight hits (2 K) over seven full. Chestnut Hill's
Nichole Eberhard (Jr.-Philadelphia, Pa.) suffered the setback in the circle (2.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, K).
In the nightcap, Georgian Court garnered runs in all five frames, including crooked numbers in the first (5) and fifth (3) en route to the 13-4, five-inning win. The contest ended in appropriate fashion as Reilly clubbed a walk-off, three-run shot to left for her second of the game and 19th on the year.
Stephanie Torrence made the most of her shot in the starting lineup as the junior fell just a double short of the cycle in a 3-for-3 performance. The catcher's big day began with a ribbie single through the left side in the first, followed by a screaming triple down the left field line in the third. The back-up backstop waited until the fourth frame for her most dramatic drive, a solo shot over the left-field wall, marking the first of Torrence's collegiate career.
Marissa Trezza took the win in the rout, allowing four runs (0 ER) on five hits and two walks (2 K) in 4.1 innings of work.
Jessica Heaton (Jr.-Berlin, N.J.) was tagged with the loss (1.1 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 BB).
The Lions (25-18, 15-6 CACC), winners of five straight, look to keep the streak alive Monday with a non-conference twin-bill vs. Queens College (N.Y.) on GCU's SEI Investments Field. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.
