Softball Splits Doubleheader Against Lafayette, Holy Cross

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – Despite a persistent offense, the Merrimack softball team was outlasted by Lafayette in the first game of the doubleheader before an extra innings bout in the rematch with Niagara ended the Florida trip with a victory.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 4, Lafayette 6 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 7, Holy Cross 4 | Final (9 innings)
Records: Merrimack Warriors (4-3) | Lafayette Leopards (5-8) | Niagara Purple Eagles (2-5)
Location: R.O.C. Park | Madeira Beach, Fla.

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Merrimack capitalized on defensive errors early from a Lafayette team fresh off an extra innings contest. Courtney Lanpher reached on an error by the first baseman to lead things off, advancing to second on the play. Sarah Reisler stepped in and reached on an error on a missed pop up in left field to put runners at second and third.
• Lafayette match with an offensive outburst of its own in the second inning. The first three at the plate for the Panthers had a walk, double and walk to load the bases. The first two runs of the half inning came in on an error in right before a walk loaded the bases again.
• A reach on a fielder's choice with the forced out at home gave the Warriors their second out of the day. Bry Michitson came in to relieve starter Katelyn Thompson for her third appearance in Florida. Two more walks came in to give the Leopards a 4-2 lead at the end of the second.
• The Warriors responded with a run in the top of the third as Lanpher worked a walk and was advanced on a bunt. Hubbard again struck with a single up the middle and stood at second after Lanpher safely swiped at home to make it a one-run game.
• Madison Cerpa worked a walk with one out in the fourth, coming in to score and tie the game on a hard-hit double up the middle by Allison Torstensen.
• With the game tied into the fifth, Lafayette worked to retake its lead. With the bases loaded, a single gave the Leopards a pair of runs for the game's final runs.

 
 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• Runs were hard to come by in the rematch between Niagara and Merrimack, as teams combined for eight hits through six innings.
• In the sixth, the Warriors looked to capitalize on what they were given, as Catherine Kingman got on base after a missed popup by the catcher. Ellen Hubbard singled to left, sending Kingman to second base. Pitcher Madie Fornwalt worked a walk to load the bases before a strikeout closed out the offensive pressure from the Warriors.
• Senior Nicole Koshes continued to garner momentum for the squad with a single to center and stolen base with two outs. Courtney Lanpher doubled to center to bring Koshes in for the game's first run.
• Niagara forced extras with work in the bottom of the seventh, with an error and successful bunt put two on for the Purple Eagles. A double to center brought in one run to continue the contest.
• After a stalemate in the eighth, teams worked with the automatic runner at second base. Jordyn Montoya brought runner Sydney Shimkus into scoring position with a single to right, but was tagged out on a force play. Koshes again singled and stole second base to bring two into scoring position, where they were brought home by Courtney Lanpher's single to left and pair of RBIs.
• Sarah Reisler, in the two spot, was hit by a pitch to bring up Hubbard. The rookie doubled to left to bring in Lanpher and send Reisler to third. Jenna Wike remained patient at the plate to work a walk to load the bases.
• Madie Fornwalt smoked her first collegiate hit on a double to center, bringing in two RBIs as Hubbard and Reisler came in to score. Wike advanced to third, and the Warriors again loaded the bases after Sydney Shimkus walked. A passed ball brought all runners to advance and Wike in to score to make it a six run inning.
• The Purple Eagles fought in the bottom of the ninth, with runners on the corners after an error at short. A single to left center brought in the placed runner, before a single to center scored the third run of the day for Niagara.
• Katelyn Thompson came in for a four pitch relief outing, allowing one run and closing the game out with a strikeout.

 
 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Kinzi Van Wyk (4-1) | LP- Bry Michitson (2-1)
• Game 2: WP – Madie Fornwalt (1-1) | SV—Katelyn Thompson (2) | LP – Cara Leone (1-4)

 
Up Next:
Merrimack returns to the Northeast to take on Providence in Rhode Island on Wednesday. The doubleheader is set to begin at 2 p.m. at Glay Field.
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