Schwager Sets Milestone as Softball Takes LIU Series

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.– Merrimack's offense rebounded in the second game of the doubleheader, taking the series against LIU on home turf Sunday afternoon. The victory in the second game marked the 400th career victory for head coach Elaine Schwager. In her 14th year at the helm at Merrimack, Schwager has recorded 275 victories and is one of ten coaches with wins at Division I, II and III in the NCAA.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 0, LIU 7 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 3, LIU 0 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (8-18, 4-7 NEC) | LIU Sharks (14-22, 3-6 NEC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• LIU scored a single run in the first inning, working a walked batter over to third before sending a single to right to score her. In the second, a double brought in another run for the Sharks before a ball that stalled out in the infield scored the third of the day. The visitors added their fourth in the top of the second after scoring on a passed ball.
• In the fourth, the Sharks scored two more runs on a double to left and a fielder's choice with runners on the corners to take a 6-0 lead midway through the game. Closing out the first game of the day, LIU hit a lead-off single to right, with a sharp relay forcing a close play. A grounder advanced the runner, who came in as the seventh tally of the day for the Sharks after an attempted force out at second.
• Merrimack worked well-timed hits as Viviana Bocanegra, Ellen Hubbard, Madison Cerpa, Courtney Lanpher and Danielle Carmody all singled on for the Warriors. The offense was staved off, keeping the Warriors from scoring.  

 
 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• The offense jumped to work in the first inning. Sarah Reisler sent a leadoff single to left field, with Sydney Shimkus using her speed to turn a ball in the infield into a single to put runners on the corners. Shimkus stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball that brought Reisler in for the first run of the day. Ellen Hubbard singled to right to bring home Shimkus.
• Merrimack looked to add in the third, with Shimkus working a walk and moving over on a single to left by Jenna Wike. Hubbard notched her second hit of the day on a single to short with runners on the corners after a force out at second, as the Warriors kept two on base in the inning.
• The bottom half of the order for the Warriors rose to the occasion in the fourth to add to the lead. Nicole Koshes singled to center, with Sofia Palyan sending a single over the head of the second baseman to put two on with one out. Hannah Scarano singled to left field to score Koshes for the first RBI of her career.
• Pitcher Katelyn Thompson went to work with the lead and tossed a complete game shutout allowing only five hits and two strikeouts against 24 batters faced.
• Schwager becomes the third coach at Merrimack with 400 career wins, joining men's soccer coach Tony Martone and women's soccer coach Gabe Mejail. She earned 175 of her wins as head coach at Regis and Suffolk.

 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Alyssa O'Donnell (6-7) | LP- Bry Michitson (3-7)
• Game 2: WP – Katelyn Thompson (2-4) | LP—Elena Valenzuela (3-9)

 
Up Next:
Merrimack will begin a road trip on Wednesday, April 13 on Staten Island, competing against the Wagner Seahawks in a make-up game with first pitch set for 12 noon.
    
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