Softball Takes First Game in Twin Bill with Wagner

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. --  The Merrimack College softball team took the win in the first game of the day, propelled by Abigail Amato's second home run of the year, before falling in the second contest in a late push by Wagner on Sunday.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 3, Wagner 2 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 3, Wagner 7 | Final
Records: Merrimack (4-6) | Wagner (6-2)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Offense in the third inning was spurred by fifth year catcher Amber Gibbons' plate discipline, working a walk. Tiffany Mangiameli singled to left, advancing Gibbons to second. Sophomore Lexi LeFebre pinch ran for Gibbons, and was brought in on a powerful single up the middle by Sarah Reisler.
• Abigail Amato sailed her second home run of the season in the sixth with a high shot out to left, bringing in two with Mangiameli aboard after a hit by pitch.
• Wagner challenged in the seventh, with a pair of singles, a fielder's choice and an error bringing in two runs for the visitors.
• Madie Fornwalt came in in the third inning, earning the win with composure against the 19 batters she faced, with two strikeouts, and six ground outs. Katelyn Thompson came in for the save, working a strikeout.

 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• Another long ball kicked off the offense for the Warriors in game two, as Madison Cerpa sent a blazing home run to left field for the first of her career.
• Wagner responded in the fourth, putting up four runs and five hits in the inning, including three singles.
• Merrimack got to work in the bottom of the fourth, kickstarted by Viviana Bocanegra's second double of the afternoon. Jenna Bradish pinch ran for her, advancing to third on a wild pitch walk that put Nicole Koshes on first.
• Mangiameli reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Bradish and moving Koshes to second. Elizabeth McCoy knocked a double down the right field line, bringing in Koshes.
• The Seahawks would add another run in the fifth, before a double in the top of the seventh brought in the game's final two runs.

Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Madie Fornwalt (2-1) | SV – Katelyn Thompson (1) | LP – Eve Harvey (2-2)
• Game 2: WP – Eve Harvey (3-2) | LP – Courtney Lanpher (0-2)

Up Next:
Merrimack will take on regional rival UMass Lowell on Wednesday, March 24, with games at the River Hawks scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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