Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack softball team matched run-for-run in a rematch with the Holy Cross Crusaders on home turf as the visitors worked to take the second game of the season between the two on Tuesday.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 3, Holy Cross 6 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (8-24) | Holy Cross Crusaders (17-28)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.
Notes: The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was postponed due to inclement weather.
Scoring Plays
- Merrimack notched the opening run in the first. Courtney Lanpher walked and stole second base, coming in to score on a long double to center by Jenna Wike. The Warriors put another on as Ellen Hubbard put another shot to straightaway center where the center fielder looked to have a hold on the ball before dropping it to allow Hubbard to reach.
- Holy Cross responded in the second with a leadoff home run to right field to tie the game. The Crusaders scored again in the third after a pair of singles to left brought in a second run.
- The Warriors tied the game up once again in the bottom of the third as Lanpher singled to short and stole her second base of the afternoon to put a runner in scoring position. Wike moved Lanpher to third on a grounder to first base. Hubbard put the ball in play, handcuffing the second baseman to reach on the fielder's choice as the Crusaders went for the out at first allowing Lanpher to score unchallenged.
- In the fourth Holy Cross added two more runs with a walk and single to left with a pair moving over with a passed ball. A grounder to short and a single to left scored two runs for the visitors for them to re-take the lead again.
- Responding in the bottom of the fifth, Sarah Reisler led off the offense by beating out a ground ball to second base before using her speed to steal second. Hubbard singled to center field to score Reisler to make it a one-run deficit for the Warriors.
- Holy Cross scored its winning runs in the top of the sixth with a run on a passed ball and a double to left center to pull away offensively.
- Defensively, Catherine Kingman worked two stellar catches in left field to keep the Crusaders off the base paths in the top of the seventh inning, giving the offense a chance to rally in the bottom half of the frame.
Pitchers of Record
- WP— Kelly Nelson (12-15) | SV—Megan Yurchick (1) | LP— Bry Michitson (3-8)
Up Next:
Merrimack travels to Quinnipiac for a single game against the MAAC squad in Hamden, Conn. For the Warriors final non-conference game of the season.
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