#22 Softball Extends Winning Streak to Four with a Pair of 3-0 Victories Saturday

Links: Pitt-Johnstown Box | Notre Dame Box

CLERMONT, Fla.  – The #22 ranked Merrimack College softball team picked up a pair of 3-0 victories on Saturday morning, defeating the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in the early game, before downing Notre Dame (Ohio) in the second game. The Warriors improve to 9-1 on the season and are on their second four-game winning streak of the season

The Basics
Game 1: #22 Merrimack 3, Pitt-Johnstown 0 | Final
Game 2: #22 Merrimack 3, Notre Dame (Ohio) 0 | Final
Records: #22 Merrimack (9-1) | Pitt-Johnstown (3-6) | Notre Dame (Ohio) (4-7)
Location: Legends Way Field | Clermont, Fla.

Rapid Recap (Pitt-Johnstown)

• The Warriors had a chance to take an early lead in the top of the first, but Mountain Lion starter, Melissa Wagner ended the threat, stranding runners on second and third.
• Merrimack starter senior Megan Cook pitched a gem in the first three innings, striking out three hitters and facing one over the minimum. The Navy and Gold struck for a run in the top of the fourth. After junior Nicole Nanof singled and stole second, she advanced to third on a passed ball. Classmate Hannah Johnson continued her impressive weekend, ripping a line drive to left field to score Nanof from third.
• Cook allowed her only hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth, but stranded the runner. The Warriors tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth. After junior Caitlin McBride reached on a fielder's choice and replaced by pinch runner senior Breanna Dupuis, junior Kristina Terrazzano reached after being struck by a pitch. Nanof sent a single to center field to score Dupuis, before Terrazzano scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 Warriors.

Rapid Recap (Notre Dame (Ohio) )

• After senior Courtney Zambello shutdown the Falcons in the top of the first, the Warriors wasted little time to get on the scoreboard. A one-out single by Nanof, followed by a stolen base, put her at second. Senior Alyssa Williamson hit a RBI double to left field, allowing Nanof to score easily from second for a 1-0 lead.
• Merrimack looked to add to its lead in the fourth, but stranded runners on second and third. Notre Dame was unable to take advantage of an error in the fifth.
• The Warriors added insurance in the bottom of the six, scoring a pair of runs. McBride led off the inning with a double. She was replaced by freshman pinch-runner Zoe Driscoll-Sbar. An infield single by Terrazzano moved Driscoll-Sbar to third, while advancing to second. Freshman Elizabeth McCoy hit a sacrifice fly to center, plating Driscoll-Sbar, before classmate Kelly Dovi singled to left to score Terrazzano.
• Cook came in relief and shutdown the Falcons to pick up her second save of the weekend.

Notes and Notables

• Game 1: WP Cook (4-0) | LP Melissa Wagner (0-2)
• Cook's final line: (7 IP, 1H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K)
• Cook went the distance for the second straight game. She also had three hits at the plate.
• Nanof and Johnson each picked up an RBI, while Nanof and Williamson each had a pair of hits.
• Game 2: WP – Courtney Zambello (3-0) | LP – Mikayla Graczyk (0-1) | SV – Cook (2)
• Zambello's final line: (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)
• Williamson and McBride led the offense with a pair of hits each, both doubles.
• This marks the Warriors best 10 game start in recent history, after they went 8-2 in the first 10 last year.

Up Next:
The Warriors wrap up their Florida trip with games against Fairmont State and Clarion. First pitch for each game is 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.
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