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CLERMONT, Fla. – The Slippery Rock University softball team concluded its spring break trip with a pair of losses to Merrimack College and Caldwell College in the Dot Richardson Spring Games Wednesday.
 
In the opener, a pair of solo homeruns from junior Alaynna Beers and sophomore Ashley Samluk gave The Rock a 2-0 lead through four innings. Senior Breanna Tongel delivered a RBI to push SRU's lead to 3-0 in the fifth.
 
The Warriors loaded the bases with no outs as Merrimack's bats caught fire in the fifth. The Warriors snuck within one at 3-2 following a sacrifice fly and RBI single, before a walk reloaded the bases for Merrimack. Following a strikeout, Lindsey Gibbs delivered a two-out grand slam to cap the six-run inning and give the Warriors a 6-3 lead after five.
 
SRU rallied in the seventh to score a run, but could not complete the comeback and fell 6-4.
 
Beers went two for four with a homerun to lead The Rock's offensive attack, while Samluk added a homerun in three at bats. Senior Emily Lobdell went one for two with a run scored.
 
Lobdell received the no decision after allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out five in four innings. Freshman Carly DeRose picked up the loss after giving up four runs in two innings of relief.
 
In the nightcap, Samluk crushed a three-run homer to give The Rock a 3-0 lead over #17 Caldwell in the opening frame.
 
The Cougars answered with a four-run outburst in the third inning to take the 4-3 lead, before scoring two runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to record the 10-3 victory.
 
Samluk went one for two from the plate with a homerun and three RBIs. Freshman McKenzie Popatak went two for three, while freshman Eliza Sykes finished one for four with a stolen base and a run scored.
 
Lobdell was tagged with the loss after allowing eight runs on 11 hits in five innings. Freshman Sarah Petrash and senior Bethany Beutel combined for two shutout innings in relief.
 
The losses drop Slippery Rock's record to 4-9 overall, including 2-6 in the Dot Richardson Spring Games. Merrimack improved to 4-8 with the win, while #17 Caldwell improved to 7-1 overall.
 
The Rock opens up home and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division play Sunday with a double header against Gannon University. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. in the SRU Sports Complex.