MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Slippery Rock University softball team fell to the University of New Haven in its final game of the Snowbird Freeze Out Tournament Sunday, 2-1.
 
Slippery Rock and New Haven both tallied their runs in the first inning, but pitchers Brooke Dawson and Kylie Stonebraker dueled it out in the circle in a game that came down to the final batter.
 
In the top of the first inning, New Haven scored runs on back-to-back RBI doubles to make it 2-0.
 
The Rock answered back in the bottom of the first inning with two outs. Becca Roesch walked and the next batter, Lauren Hawley, roped a double to drive her in cutting the lead to one. It's the second consecutive game Hawley ripped an RBI double.
 
SRU had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the second when McKenzie Garland walked to lead off the inning. Allie Fischer then singled and moved Garland to second base. Alexa Guglielmino then got on with a bunt single. Unfortunately, Slippery Rock registered three straight outs to end the frame.
 
The Rock's final chance to tie the game was in the bottom of the seventh inning. Guglielmino walked to start the inning. Lydia Baird bunted to move her into scoring position. Emily Nagle grounded and Guglielmino advanced to third base. Pinch hitter Adeline Nicholson worked the count to 2-2, but struck out swinging to end the contest.
 
Dawson (1-2) tallied the loss, but pitched great surrendering two earned runs on six hits, while striking out four.
 
Slippery Rock falls to 3-2 to start the season while New Haven improves to 3-2.
 
The Rock will play again next weekend Feb. 24-25 with contests against Virginia State University. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Saturday.
 



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