Softball Sweeps Season Opener

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—Merrimack softball kicked off the 2022 season with a pair of wins over the Hartford Hawks on Saturday afternoon, taking the first game late before a come-from-behind victory to earn the sweep.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 3, Hartford 2 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 4, Hartford 3| Final
Records: Merrimack (2-0, 0-0 NEC) | Hartford (0-2, 0-0 America East)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Hartford took a lead in the second inning, working with their opportunities on base. After a runner reached on an error, she worked over to second before coming in to score on a double. The Hawks scored again with a cross up with the runner who walked on, allowing their second run of the inning.  
• Merrimack led off the fifth to start up the offense late for a rally. Olivia Crowley worked a single to short before advancing on a fly to left. The senior worked her way to third on a ground out before crossing the plate on Sofia Palyan's first collegiate hit and RBI.
• In the sixth, the top of the order continued to build momentum with Courtney Lanpher slapping a single to center. Sarah Reisler followed behind her with a single to left for two on and no outs. Rookie Ellen Hubbard doubled to left bringing in Lanpher and Reisler with the first runs of her career. Hubbard's efforts forced a pitching change, Wike singled to right to bring in Hubbard for the game's final run. 

 
 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• Merrimack scored their first run in the second inning to get a jump in the second game. Sydney Shimkus sailed a double to left field, coming in on a single by Madison Cerpa. Nicole Koshes added a single before the Warriors were left with a runner on.
• Hartford worked to respond in the top of the third, with a single to second and a stolen base leading to a runner in scoring position. After a triple to right tied the game at one, the Hawks skied a home run to left center to take a 3-1 lead before the Warriors defense snapped back for a pair of outs to close out the inning.
• The Warriors once again used their leadoff batter to gain momentum from the onset, with Jenna Wike handling a hit by pitch to start the inning with one on and no outs. Jenna Bradish worked her speed on the bases as a pinch runner, catching the defense in an indecisive moment to come around to score after Shimkus reached on an error by the second baseman.
• Capitalizing on another error by Hartford on a missed throw by the center fielder to first base, Nicole Koshes reached to put runners on the corners with one out. Allison Torstensen, in her first appearance as a Warrior, worked a well-placed pop out to first to bring Shimkus in to score to tie the game at three a side.
• In the fifth, Merrimack's pitching efforts continued the positive trend in the second game as Madie Fornwalt entered in relief, sending three consecutive batters down for the Hawks on a fly out and back-to-back grounders.
• Courtney Lanpher struck once again to lead off an inning, sending a double to center to send a new pitcher to bat for the Hawks. Lanpher advanced to third on a fly ball to left and was brought in by Jenna Wike's second big hit of the day for the game-winning run.   

 
 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Bry Michitson (1-0) | SV Katelyn Thompson (1st) | LP – Caylee English (0-1)
• Game 2: WP – Katelyn Thompson (1-0) | LP – Lauren Card (0-1)

 
Up Next:
Merrimack will travel to Florida to compete in THE Spring Games, with five games from March 11 to 13 in Madeira Beach.  
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.