BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Mercyhurst softball team traveled to LIU for their final series of the season. Heading into today's doubleheader, LIU was in second in the NEC and Mercyhurst was already eliminated from playoff contention. This did not stop MU from putting up a fight, as they nearly won both games. The Sharks managed to outlast the Lakers in each contest, 9-8 in game one and 4-3 in an extra inning in game two. Notably,
Natalie Cully recorded her first home run of the season.
Mercyhurst (9-32, 7-15 NEC) opened the first game with a two-run homer by
Mackenzie Gillis, driving in
Gabriella DeLuca, to take an early lead. LIU (21-30, 19-3 NEC) responded with a single run in their half of the inning. The Lakers led 2-1 after an exciting first frame. In the second stanza, the Laker offense was quiet, while the Sharks capitalized with four runs, including a few RBIs. At the end of the second inning, LIU led, 5-2.
LIU extended their lead to five with two additional runs in the third. MU continued to fight back. They narrowed the gap in the fourth inning with a two-run double by
Alexandra Acosta-Reyes, bringing in
Jazlynn Sanders and
Emelie Pascual. In the fifth frame, Mercyhurst was held scoreless, while LIU scored two more runs with a two-run home run. The Sharks were now up by five.
Neither team scored in the sixth and the game seemed to be at its end, but it was far from over. In a dramatic seventh inning, the Lakers rallied with a two-run homer by Cully, and two unearned runs scored on an error from LIU. However, the comeback fell just short, as the Sharks put it to a halt and took game one, 9-8.
In game two, LIU (22-30, 20-3 NEC) was the first to score. They had a runner on third and drove her in with a sacrifice fly for their first run. DeLuca was on the mound for the Lakers, and she put up another impressive performance. The score remained the same until the third inning. Mercyhurst (9-33, 8-15 NEC) found themselves with two runners on base after Acosta-Reyes walked and DeLuca was intentionally walked. The intentional walk did not pay off for the Sharks as Gillis smashed a two-run double to drive the two runners home and give the Lakers a 2-1 lead.
However, LIU countered in the bottom of the third with an RBI double and RBI single to reclaim their one-run lead. In the fourth frame, the Lakers tied the game. Sanders doubled and was driven in by a single from Kasten. The score was now even.
DeLuca and the Laker's defense managed to hold off the Sharks for the next four innings. In fact, both teams were unable to score as their fielders were on fire. The game headed into an extra inning, and the Lakers found themselves in prime position to add a run. They had the bases loaded, but could not capitalize on this golden opportunity. The LIU pitcher, one of the best in the conference, dug herself out of the hole and prevented Mercyhurst from scoring a go-ahead run. The Sharks managed to record a walk-off single in the bottom of the eight and took game two, 4-3.
Game three will take place tomorrow at noon.
