Softball Falls in League Twin Bill at Bryant

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.– Opening and closing streaks by the opposition proved too much in the doubleheader against Bryant in Rhode Island on Tuesday.  
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 3, Bryant 8 | Final
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 3, Bryant 8 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (11-27, 6-13 NEC), Bryant University Bulldogs (15-26, 13-10 NEC)
Location: Conaty Park | Smithfield, R.I.  

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Merrimack scored first after a quiet open to the contest. In the top of the third Nicole Koshes doubled to right center for a leadoff baserunner. Koshes advanced on an infield grounder and came in to score as Sarah Reisler singled and advanced to second on the throw. Reisler moved over to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on a single to first by Jenna Wike.
• Continuing in the third, Ellen Hubbard singled through the left side as she moved Wike to second. Rookie Sydney Emerson pinch ran for her, coming in to score on Madison Cerpa's single up the middle for the third run of the inning.
• Bryant responded in the bottom half of the inning, as two hits including a triple brought in four runs for a lead before tacking on a fifth run in the next half inning.
• Teams were deadlocked again until the bottom of the sixth, where the Bulldogs' bats came to life for three runs on four hits to make it an 8-3 game.

 
 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• Bryant took one run in the bottom of the first with a pair of hits for an early lead.
• Merrimack scored its first in the top of the third. Sarah Reisler walked and stole send base, coming in to score on Ellen Hubbard's single through the left side.
• In the bottom of the third, the Bulldogs added three doubles to put three more runs on the board in their favor along with four more hits for the afternoon.
• Four more runs came on the board for the hosts in the bottom of the sixth to boost their lead.
• The Warriors offense put up a fight in the top of the seventh, with Reisler getting aboard with a ball to short. Hubbard singled to left moving Reisler over before Cerpa singled to second base to score Reisler and move Hubbard to third. Kingman singled to third base, scoring Hubbard on their fourth hit of the inning.

 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – K. Kenney (9-7) | LP – Bry Michitson (9-7)
• Game 2: WP – S. McKeveney (3-10) | LP—  Madie Fornwalt (2-6)

 
Up Next:
The Warriors will return to Smithfield, R.I. to compete against Bryant once again on Thursday, May 5 with first pitch set for 3 p.m. at Contay Park.    
    
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