CLERMONT, Fla. – The Manhattanville College softball team took home two wins in the Spring Games yesterday Mar. 9. They first came from behind and defeated Westminster College in the final inning of the game 7-6. Later that day the squad then held Meredith University scoreless and won 3-0.
 
The Valiants (3-1) were down 5-0 to the Titans (1-3) at the start of the bottom of the first. Manhattanville started its comeback with freshman Sarah Harker (Irvine, Calif./Irvine) hitting a double. Sophomore Giovanna Liggett (Fountain Valley, Calif./Edison) followed Harker at bat and sent Harker home for the first run of the day. Liggett was waiting on second base when freshman Abby Tanuma (Chula Vista, Calif./Cathedral Catholic) stepped up to the plate. Tanuma hit a double and sent Liggett home to make the score 5-2.
 
The Crimson and White held the Titans to zero hits but allowed one run to score in the top of the second. Freshamn Charli Shinstine (Encinitas, Calif/San Dieguito Academy) entered the line up in the bottom of the second and hit a double. Harker sent Shinstine home advancing the score to 6-3. Shinstine pitched starting in the top of the third and struck three batters out to close the inning with only four at bats. Manhattanville's defense held Westminster to six runs for the rest of the game.
 
The Valiants rallied in the bottom of the seventh as they were only trailing the Titans by one. Tanuma hit a single but freshman Dani Nii (Orange, Calif./El Modena) came in as a pinch runner. While Nii was waiting on first, freshman Mahkenzy Lewis (Beaumont, Calif./Beaumont) was at bat. Lewis batted Nii in to tie the score up at six. Lewis and sophomore Julia Bucci (Rye Brook, N.Y./Blind Brook) were on base when freshman Jayleen Torres (Bellflower, Calif./Downey) was at the plate. Torres hit a single and brought Lewis home for the 7-6 victory.
 
Later that evening the Valiants took on the Avenging Angles (1-11) and drew an early lead. Torres made it to first off of a walk and advanced forward after junior Isela Casillas (Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake) hit a single. Ligget brought in Torres and Casillas followed home after Meredith made an error in the outfield. The Crimson and White stayed up the rest of the game with great fielding and pitching.
 
With Meredith runners on first and second in the bottom of the third junior Brooke Franson (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) caught a pop fly to keep the Valiants ahead. In the top of the seventh Casillas was at bat with two outs. She hit a single and Nii sent her home to make the score 3-0.
 
The Valiants will play another double header today Mar. 10, against Haverford College at 4:00 p.m. and Alfred University at 6:30 p.m. They will be played in Clermont, Fla. at the Hancock Recreational Complex.