Erie, Pa. – Mercyhurst Softball suffers two tough losses in a closely contested doubleheader against Seton Hill Saturday after. The Griffins take the first one by a score of 5-3, and follow that with another win, 5-4 as the Lakers move to 21-17 on the season and 11-9 in the PSAC.
How It Happened
First Game
The Lakers returned to the Mercyhurst Softball Field for another busy day of action. They struck first in the second inning when Marisa Cartellone doubled to center field, bringing in Allison Dejidas for the first run of the game, 1-0. Kacie Irwin then reached first on an error by the shortstop, allowing Cartellone to score to make it 2-0.
Seton Hill responded in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Grace Paredes, narrowing the lead to 2-1. The game remained quiet until the sixth inning when Francesca Latino singled to center field and brought in Brianne Egelston, extending Mercyhurst's lead to 3-1.
Seton Hill rallied in the seventh inning, starting with a home run by Bre Athey, bringing the score to 3-2. Paredes then singled to center field and advanced to second on an error by the catcher, scoring Camryn Murphy and tying the game at 3-3. The Griffins didn't slow there, as they took the lead scoring two more runs to make it 5-3. Despite great efforts, the Lakers didn't respond and eventually lost the first game.
Second Game
The second game of the day was another closely contested battle. Seton Hill got on the board first in the second inning when Murphy hit a double to left field, bringing in three runs and giving Seton Hill an early 3-0 lead.
Mercyhurst answered back in the bottom of the second inning with a three-run home run by Cartellone, to tie the game at 3-3. The game remained tied until the fifth inning when Hindman hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Anna O'Geen to score a run and give Mercyhurst the lead at 4-3.
Seton Hill fought back in the seventh inning when Athey singled to center field and advanced to second, scoring Alexis Valencia to tie the game at 4-4. The game remained tied until the eighth inning when Paredes hit a solo home run, giving Seton Hill a 5-4 lead. One, which, the Griffins wouldn't give up, taking their second win of the day.
Highlights
Marisa Cartellone had the best day at the plate for the Lakers with a team-high three hits. Two of those ended up going for extra bases with a double in game one followed by a three-run home run ing game two. Allison Dejidas followed with a pair of hits on her day as did Brianne Egleston with the Laker trio all having two hits in game one.
Playoff Picture
With today's wins Seton Hill (15-5) strengthens their position at the top of the standings while Mercyhurst falls to the fourth spot it the PSAC West with an 11-9 conference record.
What's Next
The Lakers come back to the diamond on Tuesday, April 18th, for another PSAC doubleheader against Slippery Rock with the first game scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
