Softball Outhits Providence, Edged Out Late in DH

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
PROVIDENCE, R.I.  –  Merrimack's balanced attack continued to develop in a non-conference tilt against Providence on Wednesday afternoon, falling 8-2 despite a late rally in the first game before getting edged out late 3-2 in the second contest.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 2, Providence 8 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 2, Providence 3  | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (4-5) | Providence (14-6)
Location: Glay Field | Providence, R.I.  

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Merrimack opened up the first contest with two walks, before a grounder put runners in scoring position, before the Warriors were held off by a strikeout to keep two on.
• The hosts took their lead in the bottom of the first, with a single up the middle and a wild pitch putting a runner in scoring position. A single through the right side loaded the bases after a walk, as another walk brought in the first of the day.
• Providence added to the lead in the second, as a single and walk put two on and no outs for the Friars. A home run to right center had three cross the plate to make it a four-run game for PC.
• Courtney Lanpher looked to have a good opportunity in the top of the third, reaching on a fielder's choice and stealing second for her second bag of the season. A grounder left her on base, keeping the Warriors off the board.
• In the third, Providence opened up with a walk and stolen base, with a player reaching on catchers' interference to put two on. Merrimack got an out on a force play, putting runners on the corners following a walk. A double to left center brought one in, before a wild pitch put six on the board for Providence.
• The Warriors got their first tally of the day in the fifth. A two-out single to center by Courtney Lanpher got momentum going, as she moved into scoring position on a passed ball. A scorched double down the line by Sarah Reisler brought Lanpher in to score to put Merrimack on the board.
• A two-run home run to straightaway center added to the Friars' offensive total in the fifth. Merrimack responded in the sixth, looking to charge late. Jenna Wike singled to center, having rookie Haley VanLaar coming in to pinch run. After a strikeout, Sydney Shimkus doubled to center, putting two in scoring position with catcher Kaitlyn Sawyer working a walk in her first at-bat of the season.
• VanLaar crossed the plate on a wild pitch that advanced all runners, with a grounder to third closing out Merrimack's efforts in the first contest of the day.

 
 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• A leadoff walk again provided the opening offensive opportunity. Lanpher stayed patient to get on base, before Sarah Reisler reached on a fielder's choice with Lanpher getting tagged.
• Reisler used her speed to make up for it with a stolen base, advancing to third on a grounder. Jenna Wike continued her potent afternoon with a single through the left to score Reisler for Merrimack's first lead of the game.
• Madie Fornwalt continued the offensive push, sending a scorching single through the left side to get on base for her second consecutive game with a hit in the second.
• The Warriors continued their offensive work again with two outs in the third. Reisler singled aboard, again brought in by Jenna Wike on a long double to the base of the center field wall. Shimkus singled through the left side to put runners on the corners, before Shimkus added the second stolen base of the day. The Warriors loaded the bases on a walk by Fornwalt before a popup left runners stranded.
• In the circle, Fornwalt started the game with dominant work against the Friars. The junior put out the first seven consecutive batters she faced, before a walk on her eighth batter gave PC their first baserunner of the day. A challenging ball that skipped at second base had two on and marked her first hit of the afternoon.
• Providence got on the board in the fourth, taking a two-out hit by pitch for a run with a double to right center. The score held, even with the Friars' late efforts with the bases loaded in the sixth.
• A hit-by-pitch and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for PC with no outs to contend against. A popup to second base gave the defense one out, before a shallow ground ball back to closer Katelyn Thompson for a toss to get the out at home. The Friars ended up taking the lead with two outs in the sixth on a bloop single to right bringing in two for the lead.

 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Tori Grifone (6-3) | LP- Bry Michitson (2-2)
• Game 2: WP – Jessica Walter (2-1) LP- Katelyn Thompson (0-3)
• Wike led the team going 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs in the second game, going a combined 5-for-7 on the day.
• The Warriors held the Big East club to three hits in the second contest.

 
Up Next:
Merrimack will begin Northeast Conference play over the weekend against Mount St. Mary's on home turf.  
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