Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.– A persistent effort by the offense led the Warriors to a series opening win at Central Connecticut on Saturday.
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 7, CCSU 4 | Final
Records: Merrimack Warriors (13-27, 8-13 NEC), Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils (7-40, 3-19 NEC)
Location: CCSU Softball Field | New Britain, Conn.
Scoring Plays
- Merrimack worked to put runs on the board from the jump, as Courtney Lanpher hit a leadoff double to center and was brought in to score on a double to left field by Sarah Reisler for the lead. Central pressured with bases loaded in the bottom of the second but starter Bry Michitson closed things out with a swinging strikeout.
- The top of the order was ready for their second plate appearances, with Lanpher again making contact in the leadoff spot with a single with Reisler following up with a single herself. Jenna Wike reached first on an error by the right fielder to load the bases. Ellen Hubbard reached first on an error by the pitcher with an overthrown caught stealing attempt allowing Lanpher to come in and score.
- CCSU took the lead in the fourth with a walk and single to put two on with one out, with both runners advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly scored the first run for the Blue Devils before a triple to left added another. A ball in the infield that was mishandled allowed the next batter to safely reach and the third run of the inning to cross the plate.
- The Warriors responded in the top of the fifth. Sarah Reisler singled to right, as Jenna Wike reached first on an error to put two on. Ellen Hubbard singled, bringing in Reisler from third before Wike took her place by stealing third base. Madison Cerpa sent a sacrifice fly to right to score Wike and advance Hubbard before Nicole Koshes put a shallow ball in play that allowed Hubbard to score for the fourth run of the day.
- The hosts loaded the bases again to threaten in the bottom of the sixth before Katelyn Thompson came in as a reliefer to work a strikeouts and close out the inning unscathed.
- Merrimack posted a pair of runs in the top of the seventh for insurance, with Cerpa grounding out to score Reisler from second and Koshes working a single to score Hubbard for seven on the day for the Warriors.
- The Blue Devils tried to rally in the seventh, with a pair of singles converting into a run on a two-out double before a pop up to center closed out the contest.
Pitchers of Record
Up Next:
The series will close with a doubleheader on Sunday, May 8 with first pitch for the first game set for 12 noon in New Britain, Conn.
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