Syracuse, NY – The Mercyhurst Softball team traveled to Le Moyne College for their final conference series of the season. The Dolphins came out strong in game one, winning 9-1. However, the Lakers hit four home runs in game two, winning a thriller by a score of 11-10. This was the first time the Lakers have hit four home runs in a game since 2022 against Shepherd University.
Game One
Eliza Reynolds got the barrels going for the Lakers with a double down the right field line. The Dolphins held the Lakers off and then loaded the bases in the bottom of the first. This led to Alyssa Dybacz scoring on a throwing error followed by Audrey Benderski's two RBI double to make it 3-0 Le Moyne after the first.
In the top of the third,
Eliza Reynolds swung at the first pitch she saw and sent a missile over the left field wall for her fourth home run of the season. The Dolphins did not allow the Lakers to add any more as they ended the inning with a 6-4-3 double play. The Lakers were unable to generate any extra hits or get anything going after the third. Le Moyne ended up dominating on all areas of the diamond and won this one 9-1 after five.
Game Two
The Lakers took an early lead in the first inning. This time,
Lauren Henrich stepped up and hit a bomb to left field for a two-run home run. The Lakers ended the bottom of the first pretty quickly as the defense looked strong early on. Then, in the top of the second,
Alexa North smashed a solo home run to right field to make it 3-0 Lakers.
The Dolphins answered immediately, this time with Audrey Benderski's two run shot to right field followed by another RBI single that leveled the score. Four hits and four runs from the Dolphins gave them a 4-3 third lead heading into the third. They added two more to make it 6-3 and the Lakers were hoping this wouldn't end up like game one.
Lauren Henrich was not going to let that happen. Henrich hit her second homer of the day, this time a three-run shot well beyond the warning track in left field to tie the game at six. In the same inning,
Alexa North hit a double to right center field that led to a throwing error and another run for the Lakers to regain the lead. Heading into the seventh, it was 8-6.
Anyone who left before the end of the seventh inning would have instantly regretted it as seven more runs would be scored.
Karlie Kasten hit a two-run homer to right field that brought in
Natasha McLellan-Tam and made it 10-6. Then,
Jazlynn Sanders hit an RBI single, and it was 11-6 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
The Dolphins were not going down without a fight. Two RBI singles and a two RBI double led to four straight runs. However, the Lakers survived a thriller and won this one 11-10.
Highlights
Lauren Henrich had a career day with five hits in game two. Her two home runs in game two were her third and fourth of the season.
Eliza Reynolds hit her fourth home run of the season.
Karlie Kasten hit her first home run of the season.
Alexa North hit her second home run of the season.
Up Next
Game three will take place tomorrow, April 28th beginning at 12:00 PM.
