ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball team dropped a pair of games at rival Gannon Tuesday afternoon. The Lakers were shutout in game, 1-0, before dropping a 3-1 decision in game two.
Courtney Brothers led Mercyhurst, going 4-for-7 on the day, while also driving in the Lakers' only run.
Game One | Mercyhurst 0, Gannon 1
Despite outhitting the Lady Knights 10-5, the Lakers were unable to generate a run off Gannon starting pitcher Olivia Gumbita (8-6).
Heather Nye's (3-6) great pitching performance was squandered when Rachel deGuia utilized the squeeze play to score Jackie Martinez from third in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Lakers had an opportunity to tie the game in the seventh, after
Cassandra Egelston led off the inning with a double to center field. She later advanced to third on the play on a throwing error by the center fielder.
Rachel DiBartolomeo would follow the Egelston at-bat with a squeeze attempt that resulted in a pop-up to the shortstop, which led to a double play, as Egelston took off for home.
Allison Yule kept the game alive with a single up the middle but Brothers ended the game, popping out to second base.
Brothers finished the game 3-for-4, and recorded a stolen base.
Nye finished the game, pitching six innings, allowing five hits and one earned run. She struck out two.
Game Two | Mercyhurst 1, Gannon 3
Gannon held a 2-0 advantage into the sixth inning before Brothers singled to left center field, scoring Egelston, to cut the deficit to one, 2-1.
The Lady Knights would come back in the bottom half of the sixth and tack on an insurance run, pulling away from Mercyhurst.
The Lakers would get two base runners on in the seventh, but were unable to generate a run across the plate.
Mercyhurst, again, outhit Gannon 6-4 in game two.
Carly Konopka (1-1) received the loss, pitching all six innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs.
The Lakers will host Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division foe Slippery Rock Friday, April 15 for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.