Royals pull away in final innings

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OSWEGO -- When Rosary visited Oswego Monday, the game looked like a mismatch on paper.

But games aren't played on paper, and the underdog Panthers competed evenly for five innings with the Royals before succumbing by a 10-4 score.

Rosary (15-10) took a quick 4-1 lead in the second on a key two-out hit by Lauren Contorno. Although it didn't leave the infield, a late throw to first produced two RBI for the second baseman.

The Panthers tied it in the third as Kelly DeGarmo singled and Morgan Sartain's scratch single also produced two runs, but two Rosary miscues also helped Oswego's offense.

Royals pitcher Jessica Fortier whiffed six batters and shut the Panthers out after the third inning by only allowing three hits.

"I was a little nervous going in because I haven't thrown in a while," Fortier said. "It turned out to be OK. My curve was working really well, and I got a few of them (strikeouts) on my change."

Panther ace Kelsey Miller pitched well enough, and the Royals were only getting scratch hits until Kylie Schalz began to take charge of the offense for Rosary.

After flying out twice to center, Schalz drove a double over the center fielder's head which scored Fortier and Contorno. It gave the Royals some breathing room and a 6-4 lead.

"The first two at-bats, I was swinging at the high ones, so I was focusing on getting one down in my strike zone. I was trying to hit a line drive and that's what I did," Schalz said.

Her barrage continued in the sixth inning when she homered to left with Brenda Rocha aboard to extend Rosary's lead to 8-4.

Softball: Rosary 10, Oswego 4