CLERMONT, Fla. – The Millersville University softball team topped Concord 9-5 in the first game of the day, but Fairmont State scratched out two runs in the top of the seventh to edge the Marauders 3-1 in the second game of Tuesday's action at the Minnesola Complex.
The Marauders move to 7-6 while the Mountain Lions drop to 8-8. Fairmont State improved to 4-7.
Allie Janowiak went 2-for-4 against Concord while
Devan Masciulli powered the offense in game two, going 3-for-3.
Catherine Johnson pitched against the Mountain Cats, improving to 3-2 on the season. Game two's starter was
Emma Bevard who threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits with two strikeouts.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS
• With Millersville leading 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth,
Brianna Battavio pounded a grand slam to open the Marauders' lead. The Mountain Lions responded with one run of its own in the next half inning.
• In the top of the sixth, with two outs and two runners on, Janowiak hit a shot through the shortstop's legs, bringing home
Brittany Little from second. The Mountain Lions salvaged four runs in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the Marauders' advantage to 6-5.
• Millersville pulled away in the seventh, however. Battavio began with a single to left field and
Faith Willenbrock followed with a two-run home run. The Marauders added one more when
Rebecca Blatt scored on a dropped third strike.
• Johnson went 5 1/3 innings, striking out one batter before giving the ball to
Emma Bevard who pitched the last 1 2/3 innings, striking out three batters and not allowing a hit or a run.
• In addition to Janowiak's three hits, Battavio and Willenbrock went 2-for-4.
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS
• After the Falcons scored in the top of the first inning, the Marauders struck back to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth when Masciulli singled down the left field line, scoring
Alexis Staniec for the lone Millersville run of the game.
• The score remained tied until Fairmont State opened the seventh with a Kadi Cosgrove double and then followed with a Kaylee Anderson double to take the lead. Another RBI single put the Falcons up two.
• Masciulli went 3-for-3 with one RBI. Staniec earned her second multi-hit game, going 2-for-3.
• Fairmont State's pitcher Hannah Absalom struck out 12 and scattered five hits. Bevard started for the Marauders, pitching 5 1/3 innings and striking out two.
HEAD COACH JEN PROBST QUOTES
• "Game one, [Janowiak] was clutch at starting scoring rallies as well as keeping them going. She did a great job seeing the zone."
• "Devan had quality at bats all day today."
• "Cat started strong and was throwing hard today. Her rise was really working"
• "This stretch of games is more physically demanding than any part of our season up until playoffs."
NOTES
• Fairmont State snapped Willenbrock's seven-game hitting streak. Masciulli has reached base in seven consecutive games.
• Battavio recorded her first collegiate home run in the Concord game.
• Willenbrock, Battavio and Masciulli hold batting averages of over .344 after today's games.
UP NEXT
• The Marauders will play Slippery Rock at 11:30 a.m. and Augustana (SD) at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.
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