WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Despite a pair of strong starts from Morgan Crutcher and Alex Schaefer, the Millersville softball team dropped both games of its Tuesday doubleheader to first-place West Chester. Both Marauder losses came by small margins as the game-one score was 2-0 and the game-two score showed 3-2.
 
Millersville falls to 19-19 (8-10 PSAC East), while West Chester improves to 27-12 (15-3 PSAC East).
 
Both games were pitchers' duels and included early runs from West Chester that proved to be difference makers. In game one, Crutcher threw six total innings, five scoreless and allowed just four hits. The junior gave up two of those hits in the third inning, which led to West Chester scoring the game's only two runs. On the other side, Danielle Ciliberto threw a complete game for the Golden Rams, allowed three hits and struck out seven batters. Gabi Turner led the Marauders, going 2-for-3, while Gabby Vuocolo recorded the only other Marauder hit.
 
In game two, Schaefer threw six innings, struck out four batters and allowed three runs and eight hits. The junior allowed six of those hits in the first and second innings, which led to West Chester's three runs -- she threw four scoreless innings the rest of the way. The Marauder offense showed life at the end of game two, scoring a run in both the fifth and six innings, but couldn't make up the three-run deficit. Gabby D'Ottavio went 2-for-3 in the second game, while Aleese Angelo and Allyson Black each recorded an RBI.
 
POSTGAME THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH JEN PROBST
"Morgan and Alex were excellent in the circle," said Probst. "Our defense played much better today, we just couldn't get the bats going. Ally has been clutch at the plate in those big moments and she helped to get some momentum going. Gabby Vuocolo also had a good day on both sides of the plate."

UP NEXT
The Marauders will have a quick turnaround as they face Bowie State at home on Wednesday, April 12 to wrap up their non-conference schedule. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. on the 'Ville Sports Network.