Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Indianapolis, Indiana- The Mercyhurst Softball team remained in Indiana today for the ladder half of their 4-game series with the University of Indianapolis. After dropping the first two games on Saturday, they earned a split on Sunday, losing game one 8-0, but winning game two, 4-2. Despite losing three of four, the Lakers have all the momentum moving forward as they prepare for their Spring trip in March.  

How it Happened: 

Game One  

Indianapolis was able to retire the first three hitters of the game, as each grounded out to begin the top half of the first inning. The Greyhounds found their footing early, scoring 2 runs on 2 hits to take an early lead heading into the second inning. Bailey Cannon got the nod to start the game for the Lakers and worked a scoreless 2nd inning despite giving up 2 runs in the first. She found her stride and duplicated the effort in the third inning to keep the game 2-0. Benefiting from a leadoff double, UIndy found some insurance, scoring their third and fourth runs on two singles through the infield. Kacie Irwin recorded the first Laker hit of the game in the top half of the fifth. Irwin then stole second and moved over to third on a Francesca Latino groundout. Thats as far as she'd get however as the Greyhounds got out of the inning unscathed. 

Mercyhurst started running into trouble in the 5th as the Greyhounds led off with a single and followed it up with a 2-run homerun to make it 6-0. After a scoreless top half of the 6th, UIndy tallied two more to close it out in 6 innings, 8-0.  

Game Two 

Offensive production was hard to come by in game two on Sunday, but both defenses and pitchers were stout. Marissa Cartellone and Madison Fry-Fachet both doubled early on to get Laker runners in scoring position, but Mercyhurst couldn't cash in. Alexa North got the start for the Lakers and did a great job quieting the Greyhound hitters through the first half of the game. She remained effective as the game entered the last couple of innings. She finally got some help in the top half of the 6th inning which is when Marissa Cartellone hit a solo shot to give Mercyhurst a 1-0 lead. The Lakers earned some insurance in the 7th as Kacie Irwin singled home Acosta-Reyes just before Bailey Cannon plated Fry-Fachet and Irwin to make the score 4-0. North closed the door in the bottom half of the 7th despite a two-run home run by UIndy.  

Highlights: 

In her collegiate pitching debut, Bailey Cannon threw well, going four innings while striking out two batters in game one. Kacie Irwin had the lone hit for Mercyhurst in game one. Irwin also recorded a stolen base in the loss.  

Marissa Cartellone was the hero in game two. She doubled and hit a go-ahead homerun to put the Lakers ahead. Kacie Irwin also recorded an RBI single in game two just before Bailey Cannon hit a 2RBI single to extend the lead.  

Madison Fry-Fachet doubled twice in the win, while Alexandra Acosta-Reyes went 2-3 with a pair of singles. Alexa North tossed a great game, throwing 7 complete innings. North scattered 7 hits and recorded 6 strikeouts in the win.  

Up Next: 

The Lakers return to Erie, PA as they begin preparing for their Spring trip. Games will begin on March 3rd in Winter Haven, FL.