MACON, GA – Addy Szczerba threw a complete-game four hitter in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday night to give the University of Rochester a split of a doubleheader against Wesleyan College of Georgia. UR won the nitecap, 4-1, after Wesleyan took the opener, 7-2.
 
In seven innings, Szczerba allowed four hits and walked one. After the Wolves hit a leadoff home run in the fourth to tie the score, Szczerba allowed only one baserunner in the last four innings.
 
With the game tied at 1-1, Wesleyan's Alicia Ramirez drew a walk with one down in the sixth. She stole second and moved to third when the ball was thrown away. The Yellowjacket defense came to the forefront with the go-ahead run sitting on third. Yasnei  Llavore tapped the ball to the left side of the mound. Szczerba threw to first. When Ramirez came off the bag rounding third, the ball was thrown across the diamond to get her, then back to first where Llavore was tagged for the third out.
 
UR scored three times in the top of the seventh. Elizabeth Bourne pinch-hit for Marissa Russo and singled. Russo returned to run for her. Russo stole second, then moved to third when the throw sailed away. Alizah Ayon walked and stole second. Rachael Pletz singled and advanced to second. Russo scored with Ayon reaching third. Alexis Pope walked to load the bases. Jen Carson's groundout got Ayon at the plate. As the ball was thrown around Pletz scored. Pope got to third and scored on a bunt by Toni Anne Hahn.
 
Game One: Wesleyan 7, Rochester 2:
Two good defensive plays – in a span of three hitters – by the Wolves protected a lead in the fourth inning, just as Rochester was getting ready to draw level.
 
UR came to bat in the top of the fourth down 5-2. Pletz was hit by a pitch. Pope dropped a bunt down the first base line. The throw to first sailed down the right field line allowing Pletz to race to third and Pope to reach second. That brought Elizabeth Bourne to the plate. She had a run-scoring double in the second inning that got Pope home. This time, she ripped a line drive up the middle that was speared by Wolves pitcher Mackenzie Hooker.
 
Gianna Melillo pinch-hit for Lydia Petricca, but Hooker retired her on a soft line drive to second base. Harleigh Kaczegowicz came to bat. One inning earlier, she doubled and came around to score on a single by Ayon. Kaczegowicz hit a sinking line drive into right field that was caught – just above the ground – by Savanna Boyette to end the inning.
 
UR threatened one inning later. With two out, Carson and Hahn singled. Hooker ended it, retiring Pletz on an infield grounder.
 
Hooker scattered 10 hits, hit one, did not walk anyone, and fanned one. Hannah Leahy took the loss for Rochester. She allowed four hits and five runs (two earned). Bourne relieved in the first. In 5.2 innings, she allowed seven hits, two runs (both earned), walked two, and struck out two.
 
Rochester is 2-8. Wesleyan is 5-3. The Yellowjackets play on Friday vs. Emory & Henry and Emory University. The home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20 vs. St. John Fisher at Southside Field. It will be breast cancer awareness day – the annual 'Pink' game.