CLINTON, S.C. - The Mercyhurst softball team returned to the diamond for day two of the Scotsman Invitational. Game one was against ETSU, an opponent they faced three times last season. The game was relatively close until the Buccaneers let loose in the sixth inning. The Laker dropped game one, 10-2. Yesterday, Mercyhurst put up seven runs against Presbyterian. Today, the Blue Hose proved to be too much as Lakers fell in game two, 12-3.
Mercyhurst faced off against ETSU in the first game. It took an inning for both sides to get into the game as the first inning was scoreless. In the second frame, the Buccaneers took a narrow lead on a sacrifice fly. The Laker's defense held them off as long as possible up through the fifth inning. The sixth inning saw ETSU expand their lead significantly. A series of RBI hits, including a three-run homer, resulted in six runs, bringing the score to 10-0. The Lakers responded in the bottom of the sixth.
Alexandra Acosta-Reyes singled and later scored on a single by
Jazlynn Sanders.
Gabriella DeLuca also crossed the plate after a sacrifice fly by
Emelie Pascual, narrowing the deficit, but not by enough as they fell, 10-2 in six innings.
The Lakers played tournament hosts Presbyterian for the second time this weekend. The Blue Hose took an early lead with three runs in the second inning, highlighted by a triple to right field that brought in two runs. The Lakers responded in the fourth inning, with
Bailey Cannon sparking the offense with a triple. Pascual reached on a throwing error, allowing Cannon to score. Sanders followed with an RBI double and later scored on a stolen base to cut the gap to 4-3.
However, Presbyterian extended its lead significantly in the bottom half of the fourth inning, scoring eight runs. This included multiple RBI hits and capitalizing on a fielding error by the Lakers. Presbyterian's offensive surge was matched by some stellar defense against any Laker attempts at a comeback. This one ended 12-3 after five innings.
The Lakers will take a week off before their trip to Hawaii beginning Thursday, Feb. 26.