Lady Spartans top Tuxedo twice in division play

Florida - The Seward Spartan softball team began the week beating Tuxedo 17-7 and ended the week beating Tuxedo 11-1. In between was a tough 2-1 loss to Division III Port Jervis. On Monday, Florida traveled to Tuxedo and parlayed two big innings into a 17-7 win. Six runs in the top of the fifth inning and five in the top of the seventh decided the outcome. Melissa Oliphant and Jillian Harter led the way with three hits apiece; Janice Harter, Patti Collins and Mallory Matuseski each chipped in with two hits. Oliphant struck out seven on her way to win number eleven. The number one Lady Spartan hurler also worked the next day at Division III Port Jervis. She struck out six and gave up only six hits. Unfortunately for the Spartans, one of those hits was a two-run home run by Port’s Nicole Stellato. Oliphant had two the Spartan hits and drove in the only Florida run with a double in the third inning, driving in Matuseski who had also doubled. At home on Friday against Tuxedo, the Lady Spartans scored four runs in the first inning and won going away. Oliphant was sharp, striking out nine Tornados and giving up only five hits. Oliphant has been a standout both offensively and defensively. And once again “Mo,” as her teammates fondly call her, was just as sharp at the plate, scorching four singles and driving in three runs. Matuseski went 3-4 with a double, Jillian Harter singled and doubled and scored three times, and Michelle Dugan kicked in with two hits. The hardest hit ball came off the bat of Janice Harter, but it was caught by the Tuxedo left fielder who then doubled off a Spartan runner at second base. The win lifts coach Don Lewis’ team to 13-3 overall and 7-1 in Division V. The Lady Spartans will need more of that effort plus a continuing team effort if they expect to grab the Division Title. There are only four league games left.