Lanpher Homers as Softball Thwarted in SFU Doubleheader

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.– Junior infielder Courtney Lanpher worked a piece of clutch hitting late for the Warriors in the first game of the contest, with the squad falling in close contests in a doubleheader against league-leading Saint Francis on Thursday.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 3, Saint Francis University 4 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 0, Saint Francis University 2 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (8-21, 4-10 NEC) Saint Francis U Red Flash (24-13, 10-1 NEC)
Location: Red Flash Softball Field | Loretto, Pa.

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• In the bottom of the first, Saint Francis worked a lead on home turf. A leadoff single and stolen base put the first baserunner on before a walk put two runners on. A fielder's choice got the force out at second for runners on the corners, before another ball in the infield forcing the same play, allowing a run to score.
• The Warriors responded in the next inning, as Ellen Hubbard locked in for a leadoff walk. A grounder back to the pitcher advanced Hubbard to third before Nicole Koshes punched a double down the right field line to tie the game. 

  Hubbard walks and gets moved over on a grounder, with Coli Koshes bringing her in on a big double down the line! We're all tied up!
  
  T2 | 1-1 MC | #GoMack pic.twitter.com/JZ8nPfiX4j

  — Merrimack Softball (@MerrimackSB) April 14, 2022

• The contest continued with an even score until the bottom of the fifth. The Red Flash squibbed a single back to the pitcher with two outs, with a double to right center giving the lead. The runner then advanced on a wild pitch, coming in to score on a single to right to make it a two-run deficit for the Warriors to negate.
• After holding SFU hitless in the sixth, Merrimack's offense dialed in to work to tie the game. Catcher Kaitlyn Sawyer stayed patient in the box to work a leadoff walk, being pinch ran for by speedy rookie Sydney Emerson. Hannah Scarano reached on a fielder's choice that had Emerson out, before a grounder advanced Scarano to second. With two outs, Courtney Lanpher skied a two run home run to deep center field, tying the game with her first long ball of the season to tie the game at three.

  JUST LIKE THAT! COURTNEY LANPHER SENDS ONE YARD TO TIE US UP IN THE SEVENTH!! 🚀🚀🚀
  
  T7 | 3-3 MC | #GoMack @necsoftball pic.twitter.com/6CLj5cKiRA

  — Merrimack Softball (@MerrimackSB) April 14, 2022

• Saint Francis replied in the bottom of the seventh, with a walk and double putting runners in scoring position with one out. After an intentional walk to load the bases and a pitching change, the Red Flash won the game on a walk-off sacrifice fly to center to take the game.

 
 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• The Red Flash carried their momentum from the first game into the second. In the bottom of the opening frame, Saint Francis led off with a triple to left center. After a hit by pitch put two on, a single to right made it a 1-0 game.
• Merrimack had a good opportunity in the third, with Nicole Basil posting a single to center with one out. Jenna Bradish reached on a fielder's choice that nabbed Basil as the lead runner before Bradish swiped second base. A hard hit to short had Bradish as she turned the corner from third and nabbed her at home.
• In the bottom of the sixth, SFU led the inning off with a hit by pitch. The next batter reached on a fielder's choice that nabbed the lead runner before a walk put two on. Another ball in the infield put runners on the corners as the Warriors got the force out at second, with a single to center bringing in the second run.  

 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Grace Vesco (10-6) | LP- Bry Michitson (3-8)
• Game 2: WP – Rachel Marsden (12-7) | LP— Madie Fornwalt (3-6)

 
Up Next:
The Warriors will finish the series against the Red Flash with first pitch in Loretto, Pa. set for 12 noon on Friday, April 15.  
    
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.