WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Alfred University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Lycoming College.
 
AU dropped the opener, 3-1, as senior third baseman Liz Thompson (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) belted a pair of singles to break the school's career record for hits. Alfred (14-14) rebounded to take the nightcap, 4-1, behind solid pitching by a pair of first-year hurlers.
 
In the second game, the Saxons took an early lead when Thompson led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout by sophomore Dominique D'Andrea (Waterford, NJ/St. Joseph).
 
The Saxons went up 4-0 with a three-run third. Senior outfielder Hannah Lawrence (Spencer, NY/Spencer-Van Etten) hit a lead-off double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore catcher Lu Krawczyk (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West). Thompson singled and scored on a double to left by senior outfielder Brooke Hockeborn (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads), with Hockeborn going to third on the throw home.  D'Andrea followed with a single to bring in Hockeborn.
 
The four runs were more than enough for first-year starter Jillian Murray (Eden, NY/Eden), who went five innings, allowing an earned run on three hits and striking out three to improve to 3-2. Fellow first-year Jessica Wilcox (Forestville, NY/Pine Valley) pitched the final two innings to earn the save, allowing no hits. Wilcox struck out the side in the seventh and finished with four punch-outs.
 
Thompson was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and D'Andrea drove in a pair of runs. Hockeborn (RBI double) and Lawrence each went 1-for-3 and scored a run.
 
After three scoreless innings in the opener, AU took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Thompson led off the top of the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout before coming home on a D'Andrea groundout.
 
Lycoming scored three in the bottom of the frame off AU junior starter Shannon Schaefer (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) to move ahead for good. Alfred had the tying runs on base with no outs in the sixth, but a double play helped squelch the scoring threat.
 
The Saxons were held to four hits on the day: Thompson went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and Krawczyk and first-year second baseman Elena Ceja (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Beach Union) each hit singles. Thompson's first hit gave her 179 for her career, breaking the school record she had shared with Nicole Maher (2013-16).
 
Schaefer pitched three innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out three to fall to 4-5. D'Andrea relieved with no outs in the fourth and went three innings, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out a pair.
 
AU is in action next on Friday, April 22, when the Saxons take on visiting Houghton College in a 3:30 p.m. Empire 8 Conference doubleheader.