Erie, PA – The Mercyhurst Softball team hosted Central Connecticut State University today looking to bounce back from having the last week off. The Blue Devils took game one in a high scoring 8-6 affair. The Lakers came out victorious by a score of 4-1 in game two, with the final out being sealed by a diving catch from left fielder
Karlie Kasten.
Game One
The Lakers had a strong first inning in game one. Here, they retired the top of the order in quick succession.
Jazlynn Sanders scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first, featuring a home run that nearly touched the inside of the left field foul post on its way over the fence.
The Blue Devils came back in the top of the second. Joslyn Teal hit a two RBI double to left center field. Teal made it to third on the throw to home then made it home on an overthrow to third to quickly bring the score to 3-1 from one play. Both teams added another in the third inning and then the fourth inning, the barrels came alive once more. KC Machado's double added a run for CCSU then they added two more. However,
Eliza Reynolds hit a three-run home run to left field, providing a confident response by the Lakers.
In the bottom of the seventh, the score was 8-6 after
Jazlynn Sanders hit an RBI single. The Lakers had two runners on base, and
Mackenzie Gillis was at the plate. The Blue Devils made a tremendous 6-3 double play to prevent the Lakers from completing a comeback and sealing the win in dramatic fashion.
Game Two
Alexa North struck out Abby Meehan in the top of the first to save two runs. Then, the Lakers scored first for the second time today. This time,
Mackenzie Gillis hit an RBI single that allowed
Karlie Kasten to score.
Lauren Albert hit a beautiful bunt in the bottom of the second to load the bases. However, Central Connecticut was playing very well defensively. The Lakers had bases loaded in three consecutive innings, the second, third, and fourth. Somehow, the Blue Devils did not allow a single run in any of those innings and escaped every time.
The Blue Devils tied the game in the top of the fourth with pinch runner Adriana Manory scoring. The Lakers' bats came alive again in the bottom of the fifth.
Shailene Riemedio hit an RBI double to left center field. This was followed by
Eliza Reynolds hitting an RBI single and
Karlie Kasten immediately following with an RBI single of her own. The Lakers led 4-1 heading into the sixth.
Both teams were unable to get on the board in the sixth and the Blue Devils ended up with one final chance to get back in the game. Reagan Vunak stepped up the plate with a runner on base and two outs. She hits one to left field that looks like it may drop, but
Karlie Kasten came diving in to make the grab and seal a 4-1 victory.
Highlights
Jazlynn Sanders hit her seventh home run of the season.
Eliza Reynolds hit her third home run of the season.
Up Next
The Lakers will play CCSU in game three tomorrow, April 13 at 12:00 PM. Viewers can find live coverage on the NEC Front Row.
