Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Led by freshman Hunter Little's home runs, the Millersville University softball team defeated Goldey-Beacom, 8-4 in the second of two games. The Marauders put up a hard-fought battle against Merrimack but was beaten 2-1 at Ned Donkle Field and Market Commons Complex in the Snow Bird Freeze-Off Tournament.

Little went 3-for-5 on the day with two home runs and three RBIs including two walks. On the mound, junior Emma Bevard pitched in both games, starting in the first and coming on in relief in game two. Bevard allowed five hits, two runs and struck out nine batters. Sophomore Catherine Johnson picked up the win on the mound against Goldey-Beacom.

GAME 1 (MERRIMACK)
• Millersville struck first in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore Faith Willenbrock doubled to the right field gap, scoring junior Rebecca Blatt from second. In the top of the fifth inning, Merrimack answered with two runs, earning a 2-1 lead.
• A big chance for the Marauders to comeback came in the bottom of the fifth inning. The inning began with sophomore Allie Janowiak walking. WIllenbrock hit a double to the left field gap, advancing Janowiak to third. Sophomore Brianna Battavio walked, loading the bases. The Warriors got senior Maggie Murphy to a line out to second, ending the threat.
• Leading the team with two hits, Willenbrock went 2-for-4 and a RBI. Murphy, Blatt an Little all had one hit in the game.
• On the mound, Bevard recorded 4 2/3 innings, one walk and two strikeouts. White entered in the top of the seventh, trying to hold the Warriors from scoring and struck out on batter.

GAME 2 (GOLDEY-BEACOM)
• The Marauders held a 5-1 lead after a bottom of the second home run by Little to left field, tying the game at 1-1. The 5-1 lead began with Janowiak hit her own home run to center field, giving the Marauders their first lead, 2-1. Blatt kept the momentum going with a double, scoring freshman Madison Wenig who pinch ran for sophomore Devan Masciulli.
• Willenbrock followed Blatt with her own double, scoring her teammate, carrying the Marauders to 4-1 lead. Battavio singled which brought WIllenbrock to third before Murphy laid a sacrifice bunt, scoring Willenbrock.
• Goldey-Beacom responded with a three run, four hit top of the fifth inning that included a home run and RBI singles. That inning cut the Millersville lead to 5-4. After a freshman Alexis Staniec singled, Janowiak hit the left field gap to bring in Staniec in the bottom of the fifth for a 6-4 lead.
• In the bottom of the sixth inning, H. Little finished the scoring with a two-run home run which secured the 8-4 win.
• Head coach Jen Probst gave junior Paige Harris the start in game two. Harris lasted 1 1/3 inning, allowing four hits. Sophomore Catherine Johnson went 2 2/3 innings while she allowed five hits, three runs and one strikeout. Following the three-run bottom of the fifth, Probst returned Bevard to the mound where she closed the game out by striking out five batters and allowing one hit in three innings.
• Janowiak, Blatt and Little recorded two hits. Little led the team, going 2 -for-3 with three RBIs and one walk.

HEAD COACH JEN PROBST QUOTES
• "Hunter's home run was the first for the team this year and the excitement from everyone set the tone for the rest of the game."
• "Emma threw very well. We left a lot of runners on but we were in it the whole time. One more thing goes our way and it's a win. I was really proud of the effort all around."
• "The new kids came ready to play and had some great examples set by the returners."
• "We came ready to play but still have a lot to learn."
 
NOTES
• Five Marauders (Battavio, Staniec, Little, Alexis Jenkins and Brittany Little) had their collegiate debuts, all starting in game one except for Jenkins who started in game two in right field. Four newcomers recorded their first collegiate hit as a Marauder today. Those newcomers were H. Little, Battavio, Staniec and B. Little.
• Merrimack went to the NCAA East Regional Final last year, losing against Saint Anselm. The team finished with a 33-16 record.
• Millersville doubled its number of hits in game two with 10 in comparison to five against Merrimack.
• The Marauders were patient at the plate against Goldey-Beacom, walking six times. The last time the Marauders had more than six walks was against Bluefield State on March 10 where they had seven.

UP NEXT
• The Marauders are back in action Saturday, Feb. 15 as they play another two games down in South Carolina as they play New Haven at 10 a.m. and Georgian Court at 2 p.m.
 

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