Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – In an offense-heavy contest that featured a combined 30 hits and 18 runs, the Merrimack softball team was edged out by the University of Rhode Island on Thursday afternoon at home.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 8, URI 10 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (6-17, 2-6 NEC) | University of Rhode Island Rams (6-23, 1-10 A10)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.
Scoring Plays
- Opening the game, URI got two runs on the board with a double down the line to bring in a player who singled aboard before a ball that popped passed second base put the second run of the day for the Rams up. In the bottom of the inning Merrimack responded as Sarah Reisler doubled to left, and came in to score on a two out double by Ellen Hubbard to cut the lead in half.
- Turning to the second, the Rams singled to center with one out before adding another single to put two on with one out, before both runners advances to scoring position on a passed ball. A double to deep right scored two, before a force out on the batter's turn to third before a laser to short ended the threat.
- Merrimack made it a 4-2 game in the second with Madison Cerpa homering to straightaway center field for the second of her career.
- The Warriors offense exploded in the third inning. Sarah Reisler and Jenna Wike sent back-to-back singles to left, forcing a pitching change for the Rams. Ellen Hubbard stepped in and rocketed a double to left field to score Reisler and put two in scoring position for Sydney Shimkus. Shimkus singled to left to bring in Wike and advance Hubbard, before stealing second herself. Sofia Palyan remained patient in the box to work a walk and load the bases for another pitching change. Two fielders' choice got the lead runner out with the ball in play to keep the Warriors from scoring before a walk brought in a run for Merrimack to make it 6-4.
- URI went on to score another run to again make it a one-run contest before Merrimack expanded the lead in the bottom half of the fourth. Ellen Hubbard notched her first career home run to left field and was followed up by a triple to right by Shimkus. Cerpa brought in Shimkus to make it 8-5 for the Warriors.
- In the top of the sixth, the Rams added two more runs after rolling four straight singles before a double to left gave the visitors the lead once again. In the seventh, URI closed things out with a deep double to center to score a runner from first to put double digits on the board for the Rams.
Pitchers of Record
Up Next:
Merrimack will begin a three game Northeast Conference series against LIU on Saturday April 9 and Sunday April 10 at Martone-Mejail Field.
