April 9, 2008

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst softball team scored four runs in the first inning as the Lakers won game two of its doubleheader with rival Gannon. The Golden Knights won the opener 5-0 but the Lakers bounced back for a 4-3 victory.

Amber Rapose drove in two runs with a bases loaded single and Danielle Zubek added a two-out, two-RBI double later in the first inning as Mercyhurst jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Freshman pitcher Amanda Norman went six innings, scattering six hits and four walks, to get the win. Brittany Strier came on to pitch the seventh and grab her fourth save of the year.

After the Lakers scored four in the first, Gannon posted two in the top of the second and added another run in the third, but Norman settled down to retire the Golden Knights in order in the fourth. She got some help from her defense in the fifth as Gannon had runners on first and second with one out but right fielder Elizabeth Maier doubled a Golden Knight runner off first base after making a catch. Norman again set down Gannon in order in the sixth, paving the way for Strier in the seventh.

After Strier got Jaclyn Corroto to ground out to second, Holli Michaels walked and Carol Kienzl singled. Kara Hensley grounded into a fielder's choice and Casee Piquet struck out on a play that should have ended the game. However, the wild pitch got away from Mercyhurst and she reached first to load the bases and keep Gannon's hopes alive. But Strier closed out the game by striking out Chastity Guerrero.

Mercyhurst had six hits in the game from six different players. Zubek had the only extra-base hit with the first inning double.

In the opening game, Mercyhurst put together five hits but Gannon scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to get the win. Rapose had two hits in the contest and finished 3-for-6 on the day.

Gannon moves to 21-15 on the year and 3-7 in GLIAC play. Mercyhurst is now 15-19 overall and 2-8 in conference. The Lakers will host Lake Superior State in another GLIAC doubleheader Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.