YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Mercyhurst softball team traveled to Youngstown State this afternoon for the first of two doubleheaders between the two this week. The games were moved twice due to storms passing through the area. The Penguins seemed unaffected by these delays, and their offensive prowess proved to be too much for the Lakers as they won both games in five innings. Notably,
Gabriella DeLuca extended her hit streak to four-consecutive games for the second time this season.
In the first inning, Mercyhurst (7-24, 6-9 NEC) struggled to get their bats going early as the top of their batting order was retired. Youngstown State (23-14, 7-2 HL) took an early lead with five runs in their half of the first frame. This came from a pair of RBI singles and a three-run home run.
In the second inning, DeLuca reached after being hit by a pitch. However, she got caught stealing at second and the Lakers still were without a hit. The third stanza saw the Penguins extend their lead. They added three runs from a two-RBI double and a ground out.
The Lakers got on the board in the top of the fourth.
Alexandra Acosta-Reyes walked and later scored on a double by DeLuca. This marked the third-consecutive game DeLuca recorded an RBI. The Penguin's defense was relentless and prevented MU from even adding another hit. They extended their lead in the bottom half, held off the Lakers in the top of the fifth, and won game one, 11-1.
This evening's second game began the same way the first one did. Mercyhurst (7-25, 6-9 NEC) had trouble early on as their first three were retired. Youngstown State (24-14, 7-2 HL) scored four runs in their first half. All four runs came from the fifth hitter in the lineup, who smashed a grand slam on the second pitch she saw.
The Lakers had managed to escape the third inning, aside from the bases being loaded. They finally got on the board in the fourth frame. DeLuca doubled to center field and later scored on
Jazlynn Sanders' single through the right side. Just like game one, the Penguins successfully fended off any further runs from MU. The Lakers could not get anything going in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Penguins hit an RBI-single to walk it off and take the 9-1 victory.
These two teams are set play another doubleheader in Erie tomorrow. The first game is set for 3:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to social media due to inclement weather expected to hit the Erie area during the games.
