MADEIRA BEACH, Fla.
– The Merrimack College softball program took the diamond for the second day of the Spring Games this weekend in Madeira Beach, Fla. The Warriors battled the Big Red of Cornell University and the Great Danes of the University at Albany in Saturday's action.
To start the day, Merrimack used a six-run sixth inning to nearly erase a seven-run deficit against Cornell before falling, 10-6. Merrimack then playied Albany tightly at 1-0 through four innings before the Great Danes pulled away late.
The Warriors compete in their final day of play at the Spring Games tomorrow when Merrimack faces South Dakota at 9 a.m. followed by Providence College at 11:30 a.m.
The Basics
Score (G1): Cornell 10,
Merrimack 6
Score (G2): Albany 6,
Merrimack 1
Records: Merrimack (0-4) | Cornell (2-1) | Albany (2-2)
Location: Madeira Beach R.O.C. Complex | Madeira Beach, Fla.
Rapid Recap (Game 1):
- Merrimack placed two runners on base in the top of the first, but could not score. Freshman Courtney Lanpher started the game for the Warriors, and allowed one run to score in the bottom half of the first to give Cornell a 1-0 lead
- Albany scored three times in the third and three times in the fourth to create its 7-0 advantage.
- In the top of the sixth, Merrimack put forth its best offensive performance of the day. Base hits for Kelly Dovi and Abigail Amato put runners in scoring position, and an error at shortstop loaded the bases with only one out. Two batters later and with two down, senior Tiffany Mangiameli slapped a single through the right side to score one run. Lanpher followed up with a RBI single as well, bringing Dovi back to bat as the Warriors batted around in the inning. The junior captain dropped in a single herself into right field that plated two more baserunners, leaving the Warriors down one run, 7-6
- The rally ended there, however, as Cornell tacked on three insurance markers in the bottom of the sixth
Rapid Recap (Game 2):
- In the circle, Bridget Soraghan was key early, punching out five Great Danes from the second through fourth innings. She only allowed one run during that span, keeping Merrimack in the game
- The top of the fifth proved too much for Merrimack, as Albany loaded the bases following a single and a pair of bunts. The Great Danes scored on a double, sacrifice fly and a solo home run to acocunt for the scoring in the inning
- Merrimack's only run of the night would come in the bottom of the sixth after Mangiameli drew a leadoff walk. She advanced to second, and raced home on a two-out single by Lucy Colarusso who drilled a liner down the first base line
Notes and Notables
- Merrimack totaled a season-best 11 hits against Cornell. Four different Warriors posted two-hits games including Mangiameli, Dovi, freshman Gabby Comeau and junior Zoe Driscoll-Sbar
- Dovi knocked in two runs in the first game, increasing her team lead to four
- Both Dovi and Colarusso are tied for the team lead with five hits apiece, as well
Up Next
Merrimack continues its run of play in The Spring Games on Sunday, Feb. 23 with games against South Dakota at 9 a.m. and Providence at 11:30 a.m.
