GAME 1: 4–1 (JEFFERSON)
Sophomore Delaney Troxell got the nod for the game one start. Troxell threw all six innings for the Marauders, recording seven strikeouts while allowing seven hits in the outing.
Millersville opened the scoring in the second inning when Troxell singled to center field, scoring Jiana Maniscalco to give the Marauders a 1–0 lead. Millersville had an opportunity to add to its total in the third inning but was unable to capitalize with the bases loaded.
Jefferson tied the game in the bottom of the third with a single that brought home the runner from third. After a scoreless fourth inning, the Rams took the lead in the fifth with a single that drove in two runs to make it 3–1. Two batters later, Jefferson added another run after reaching on a fielder's choice.
Millersville threatened again in the sixth inning after seniors Allyson Black and Hailey Watlington reached base. However, the Marauders were unable to capitalize and left both runners stranded. Cecilia McBeth was the only Marauder to reach base in the seventh following a single to the left side. The freshman shortstop finished with three hits in game one.
"Cecilia is a tough out," said head coach Jen Probst. "She competes throughout her at-bats and is able to make adjustments quickly."
Millersville ultimately dropped game one of the series, 4–1.
GAME 2: 3–1 (JEFFERSON)
Game two remained scoreless through the first three innings. Freshman Jaylee Lose put runners on first and second with a single to center field in the second inning, but a flyout and groundout ended the threat.
Senior Nicolina Pezzone was effective through the first three innings, keeping the Rams off the scoreboard. Jefferson broke through in the bottom of the fourth after a wild pitch allowed the runner from third to score, giving the Rams a 1–0 lead. Shortly after, Jefferson added another run with a single to the right side, extending the lead to two.
Cameron Witte opened the fifth inning with a double, and Lexi Pickett followed with a single to move Witte to third. Cara Mazzucco delivered with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Witte and cut the deficit to 2–1. However, the Marauders' momentum stalled after a flyout and a strikeout ended the inning.
Jordyn Skarren entered in relief in the fifth inning for Millersville. She recorded two quick outs, but a double and a walk set up another scoring opportunity for Jefferson. The Rams capitalized with a single through the left side to extend their lead to 3–1.
Both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning. Millersville had another opportunity in the seventh after Bryn O'Connor and Mazzucco drew walks to put runners on first and second. However, back-to-back plays to the Jefferson shortstop ended the threat as the Rams secured the 3–1 victory and completed the sweep.
"We had some competitive at-bats that didn't go our way in those situations," Probst said. "We need to stick to our process and continue being aggressive."
Millersville will begin its spring trip on Friday when it travels to Virginia to face Virginia State with a start time of 2 p.m. The Marauders will then head to North Carolina to take on Winston-Salem State and Mount Olive.
