INDIANA, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball team fell twice at Indiana (Pa.) in non-conference action Thursday afternoon. The Lakers dropped an 8-6 decision in game one, before falling 6-0 in game two. With the losses, Mercyhurst now holds a record at 12-20 overall, while IUP improves to 23-17.
Game One | Mercyhurst 6, IUP 8
Rachel DiBartolomeo hit her ninth homerun of the season in the top of the first inning, giving the Lakers an early, 2-0, lead.
IUP would respond with six runs – five in the first and one in the second, until DiBartolomeo roped a double to lead off the third, where she would later score off a
Courtney Brothers double. Brothers would also score in the inning, when Tawney Godin got was caught attempting to steal second, allowing brothers to advance home.
Mercyhurst cut the Crimson Hawks lead to one, 6-5, in the fifth. With runners on second and third and one out, Godin hit a fly ball to right field that was deep enough to score DiBartolomeo from third.
Indiana (Pa.) would respond in the bottom half of the inning, scoring one run, while adding another in the sixth, increasing their lead to 8-5.
DiBartolomeo started off the top of the seventh inning with a leadoff double to left, as
Allison Yule was able to advance her to third with a bunt back to the pitcher. Brothers followed with a groundball to the short stop, allowing DiBartolomeo to score. However, IUP's Lauren Zola got the Crimson Hawks out of the inning, helping Brooke Darling (W, 10-6) receive her 11th win of the season.
Anna Cochis (L, 5-5) was the losing pitcher, after throwing one and two-thirds innings and only allowing two earned runs on eight hits.
DiBartolomeo finished the game 4-for-4, scoring four runs and drove in two.
Game Two | Mercyhurst 0, IUP 6
It was a tough game at the plate for the Lakers as they were held to four hits in game two.
IUP starter Brooke Darling (W, 11-6) had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning before
Jamie Ward singled up the middle to lead off the inning. DiBartolomeo would also single in the inning, but were blanked heading into the seventh.
The Lakers had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh but Darling was able to escape the jam, holding Mercyhurst scoreless once again.
Heather Nye (L, 3-9) pitched all six innings for the Lakers, allowing six runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and struck out one.
Mercyhurst is scheduled to host Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division rival Edinboro tomorrow for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
