Millersville, Pa. – For the second year in a row the Millersville University softball team split its doubleheader against Jefferson On Thursday at Seaber Softball Stadium, the Marauders captured a 4-1 triumph in game one but lost game two, 7-6, a game which went down to the last out.
The Marauders move to 4-3 on the season while the Rams saw their first action of 2019 today.
GAME ONE
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Maggie Murphy began the scoring by drilling a double over the left fielder's head which scored Briana Battavio from second, putting the Marauders on the board first in the bottom of the second.
• Battavio kept the momentum going in the bottom of the fourth with her own double down the left field line. Murphy chipped the ball over the first baseman's head, advancing Battavio home for the second time in the game.
• The Rams answered with two hits in the top of the fifth. Emily Kuberski slapped a RBI single up the middle. Madison Heno found an opening in the left side which loaded the bases with two outs. Pitcher
Emma Bevard stopped Jefferson's push by getting a fly out of Breck Urban to retire the side.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Willenbrock opened Millersville's lead with a stand-up triple which brought home
Allie Janowiak. Shortly after, Battavio beat out an infield single, bringing home Willenbrock.
• Janowiak, Battavio and Murphy recorded two hits each.
• On the mound, Bevard went 6 1/3 innings, striking out one batter and giving up six hits.
Brianna White came into relief in the top of the seventh, earning the first save of her career.
GAME TWO
• Tied 5-5 in the top of the seventh, the Rams began the inning putting two runners on base. Courtney Wensel followed by laying down a sacrifice bunt, moving runners up to third and second. Naomi Stas singled to right field for a 6-5 lead. The Rams were not done in that half inning, scoring one more by fielder's choice.
• It all came down to the Marauders with a chance to tie the game.
Rebecca Blatt walked and Willenbrock doubled to left field putting runners on third and second. Battavio hustled out an infield single and the shortstop overthrew the first baseman, advancing one home and cutting the Rams' lead down to 7-6. The Marauders had the tying run on third and game-winning run on second with one out.
Hunter Little struck out swinging, giving Murphy the last chance. A pitch in the dirt got Willenbrock leaning toward home, and the catcher fired to third, nabbing Willembrock to conclude the game.
• Jefferson opened with three runs in the top of the first inning. Millersville stormed back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth on a Murphy two-run single.
• The Rams scored two in the top of the fifth inning. In the next inning,
Devan Masciulli came up with a critical hit when she produced a stand-up double to left field, scoring two runners and tying the game at 5-5.
• Masciulli and Murphy recorded two RBIs each in their only hits of the game.
Catherine Johnson tossed a complete game, surrendering nine hits and striking out five batters.
HEAD COACH JEN PROBST QUOTES
• "Murphy had some great rounds of BP the day before so I had feeling she would be on today. Her plate appearances all day were consistent."
• "We focus on the game, inning by inning. We gave up three early in game two and just worked to try and win innings after that three run first."
• "Heading into the bottom of the seventh in game two, our approach doesn't chance no matter the situation. We always talk about taking 'our swing' and having fun."
NOTES
• Game two's loss was the third against Jefferson in program history.
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Maddie Guinane earned her first collegiate start in right field today.
• After going 3-for-7 on the day, Willenbrock improved her batting average to .400. One of those three hits was Willenbrock's second triple of the season.
UP NEXT
• The Marauders begin a 14-game road stint at Shepherd on Sunday, March 3. The doubleheader is scheduled for the first pitch at 1 p.m.
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