Softball Stumbles in Home Duo Against Lowell

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.– Merrimack's offense was challenge in a non-conference doubleheader against regional rival UMass Lowell on Wednesday, as the Warriors fell in both contests. 
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 0, UMass Lowell Riverhawks 5 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 0, UMass Lowell Riverhawks 2 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (6-13, 2-4 NEC) | UMass Lowell (15-11, 0-0 AE)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Teams opened scoreless despite early baserunners for both squads. UMass Lowell worked a leadoff walk in the first before a force out on the advance gave the first out. The Riverhawks added another runner with a walk for two on, before they were left stranded with back-to-back infield grounders.
• Courtney Lanpher got things started for the Warriors with a walk and stolen base, advancing to third on a sacrifice play by Sarah Reisler before a pair of outs left Lanpher stranded.
• UMass Lowell paced its offense throughout the midstages of the game, notching a run in the third before adding two more in the fourth for a 3-0 lead.
• In the fifth, the Warriors looked to challenge with a walk and stolen base by Catherine Kingman, with Sarah Reisler walking to put two on before the Warriors were out on a force. The Riverhawks responded in the top of the sixth with a two-run home run to center to cap off their offense for the day.

 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• In the second of the day, Merrimack earned the first hit of the contest in the bottom of the third as Sarah Reisler used her footspeed to work a bunt single.
• The Warriors again tried to garner offense with lapses by the Riverhawks. Jenna Wike was hit by a pitch to start off the fourth inning, and was pinch ran for by Sydney Emerson. Emerson stole second and was joined on base on a walk by Catherine Kingman with one out, but the Warriors were again kept off the scoresheet.
• UMass Lowell scored the first run of the day on a solo home run to left with two outs on the Riverhawks' first hit in the game. In the top of the sixth, UML added two more hits and added a run on a single to left with two on after a single and walk.

 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Ryley White (10-2) | LP- Katelyn Thompson (0-4)
• Game 2: WP – Chelsea Runyon (3-4) | Sv—Jennifer Slanovec (2) |  LP- Bry Michitson (3-4)

 
Up Next:
Merrimack will take its first Northeast Conference road trip to Staten Island to face Wagner in a three game weekend series, with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at noon.    
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