LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Millersville University softball team earned a split against Lock Haven University Sunday afternoon. After a 12-strikeout performance by Bekah Slattery resulted in a 4-1 game one loss, the Marauders bounced back with a 7-6 extra innings win in game two.
The Marauders posted their first split against Lock Haven since 2015, extending their overall record to 13-12. After today's results, the Bald Eagles moved to 9-9 overall.
Emma Bevard pitched in a total of 8 2/3 innings allowing one run, five hits and striking out two batters. On the offensive side,
Allie Janowiak,
Maggie Murphy and
Faith Willenbrock hit home runs.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS
• Both teams traded a run in the second inning. The Marauders' came when Willenbrock hit a home run.
• After a scoreless top of the third for the Marauders, Becca Caputo hit a
Catherine Johnson pitch out of the ballpark, putting three runs on the scoreboard for Lock Haven for a 4-1.
• Slattery stuck out six batters in the final four innings.
• Johnson allowed four hits and four runs through three innings. After Johnson gave up a home run in the third inning, Bevard pitched the last three innings, allowing one hit and no runs.
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS
• With the Marauders trailing 2-0, Janowiak responded in the top of the third, hitting a three-run home run which gave Millersville its first lead of the game. The Bald Eagles answered with their own three-run home run by Rachel Gricoski in the next half inning, retaking the lead with a 5-3 advantage. Gricoski kept her hitting streak going in her next at-bat with her second home run of the day in the bottom of the fifth.
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Maggie Murphy then smashed a three-run home run to left center, tying the game up at 6-6 in the top of the sixth inning. Each team kept their opponent scoreless in the seventh, pushing the game to extra innings.
• With runners on first and third in the top of the eighth, Willenbrock flied out to the right fielder, allowing
Devan Masciulli to tag and score the go-ahead run from third base. Bevard and the defense held the Bald Eagles hitless and scoreless in the bottom of the eighth, securing the extra inning victory.
• Murphy led the bats by going 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
Brianna Battavio recorded two hits.
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Brianna White pitched in the first 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and five hits while striking out four batters. Bevard came into relief and threw the rest of the game, allowing four hits, one hit and getting Lock Haven to fly out 14 times. Bevard earned the victory.
HEAD COACH JEN PROBST QUOTES
• "Emma was so tough on the mound today. Her performance along with some clutch defense plays sealed the deal."
• "We talked a lot about swinging at balls in the zone and not chasing. When the pressure was on we were able to execute this well."
• "Lock Haven always plays us tough. We worked really hard for that win today."
• "We've been tested in every aspect of the game early on. I think this very difficult pre-conference schedule has prepared us for anything."
NOTES
• The last time the Marauders won over the Bald Eagles was in 2015 by a 3-0 score. Millersville scored its most runs against Lock Haven since 2009.
• Lock Haven had knocked the Marauders out of the PSAC Tournament in each of their last two trips.
• Willenbrock hit her seventh home run of the year and now boasts an .818 slugging percentage. Murphy has hit home runs in each of the last two days.
UP NEXT
• The Marauders have their final non-conference doubleheader Wednesday, March 27 at Shepherd at 2:30 p.m., before conference play begins on Friday, March 29 at East Stroudsburg.
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