SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University softball team was swept in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division doubleheader by Mercyhurst University Wednesday at Kasnevich Field.
Trailing by three runs entering the bottom of the fifth inning of game one, Slippery Rock scored four runs to take its first lead of the contest, but ultimately had its comeback effort fall short in an 8-5 game-one loss to Mercyhurst.
The Rock were led through their first contest by
Erin Gardner who went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI and
Aubrey Mansfield who was 1-for-3 while driving in two runs.
Kelsi Anderson (8-3) took the game one loss after allowing seven runs, five of which were earned, on five hits while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings before giving way to
Chloe Sharman.
Sharman came on for Anderson in the seventh to record the inning's final out after the Lakers added three additional runs.
Morgan Hilty (6-4) earned the win to open the day for the Lakers after allowing one run on four hits over 2.2 innings pitched in relief of Alexa North who surrendered four runs on six hits over 4.1 innings of work. Madison Fry paced the Mercyhurst attack going 2-for-5 with one run scored and two RBI.
The Lakers opened their scoring in the top of the first inning with an RBI single for an early one-run lead before both teams played empty second, third and fourth frames. MU extended its advantage to three with a run-scoring ground out and stolen base at the top of the fifth inning.
Slippery Rock struck back with four runs of its own the home half of the fifth on a Gardner two-run double, followed by her then scoring later in the inning on a Mansfield RBI.
Alexsa Hurd was then able to give SRU a one-run advantage by scoring on a wild pitch after reaching base on a single down the left field line, stealing second and eventually taking third when Gardner scored to put The Rock ahead 4-3.
The Lakers broke the game open with a five-run seventh frame that saw three run-scoring hits, including a two-RBI single by Jessica Clark, and a Mercyhurst runner score on a Rock throwing error.
Slippery Rock's last chance at a comeback came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gardner started the rally attempt with a one-out single before advancing to second on Hurd's groundout and the scoring on another Mansfield RBI.
Cami Fisk then doubled to left field to give SRU runners in scoring position with two outs on the board. However, Hilty forced the game-ending groundout by
Julia Montie to seal an 8-5 Lakers victory.
Game two saw Slippery Rock fall to Mercyhurst 12-0 in five innings to complete the Lakers sweep.
Hurd (3-2) tallied a roster-high two hits for SRU in the batter's box while also being the pitcher of record after allowing seven runs, four being earned, on six hits over 3.1 innings pitched.
Mackenzie Borkovich in 1.1 innings of work allowed five runs on five hits while
Claire Zimmerman closed out the contest with no hits or runs allowed with one walk while facing two batters.
Allison Dejidas led the Mercyhurst offense in game two as she went 2-for-3 with one run and four RBI while Hilty earned her second win of the day after allowing seven hits in a five-inning shutout effort.
The Lakers scattered 12 runs over four innings highlighted by four runs in the first frame and five in the fourth that featured a pair of RBI-singles and run scoring doubles on the way to their 12-0 win.
Slippery Rock remains home to host Pitt-Johnstown for a conference doubleheader 12 p.m. Saturday at Kanevich Field.
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