Columbus, OH.-- Merrimack Softball collected win number one of the 2025 season as they picked a split in their final two games of the Ohio State Tournament as they defeated former conference foes Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash 5-4 this morning before battling Kent State Golden Flashes to 10-8 loss this afternoon.
Game 1: The Warriors got off to a strong start, with two runs to start the game as
Ellen Hubbard scored on a ground out and
Thiana Brito would score on fielders choice. Merrimack would add two more runs in the third as
Gabby Kaduson smashed a two-strike double to center field, scoring Brito, and Kaduson herself would score shortly after on a throwing error.
The Red Flash would tie the game in the top of the fourth, with four runs in the inning, but the Warriors would retake the lead in the bottom half of the inning as
Ellen Hubbard would reach base with a two out single who would reach third base following a Brito hit and a walk. With the bases loaded, Hubbard would score the eventual winning run on a wild pitch.
With the lead back,
Anna Gedacht would enter the game with one on in the fifth and would retire the final nine batters she would face in a row, with four strikeouts to complete the three inning save.
Notes and Numbers
- Ellen Hubbard and Gabby Kaduson both doubled in the win.
- Thiana Brito went 3-4 and stole a base, Hubbard was the other Warrior with multiple hits, going 2-4.
- Sofia Palyan had the other hit for Merrimack.
- Emma Prahin snagged her first Warriors win, pitching four innings, striking out five.
Game 2: Kent State scored the game's first run in the first inning, but Merrimack would battle back to take the lead with two runs in the second, as Sydney Samuel scored on a groundout, and Madi Gibeault would also scored on a ground out as well. The Warriors would add three more in the fourth, as Caity Lemay singled, scoring Kiele Coleman. Samuel would score on a fielder's choice and Lemay would work her way around the bags, scoring on a wild pitch to stretch the lead to four. The Golden Flashes would put up a crooked number to take a lead, scoring seven runs in the seventh inning, taking a 10-5 lead.
In the seventh, the Warriors did not give in as back to back two out doubles from
McKayla Kortes and Sofia Paylan would score
Eva Issitt and Kortes each, Palyan would score one batter later as
Madeline Arvai singled through middle scoring Palyan, but the Warriors would fall short in their furious finish one batter later.
Notes and Numbers:
- Sarah Shurtleff pitched five innings, scattering seven hits, allowing one run and striking out two.
Up Next:
Merrimack begins their home schedule with the first of two in a doubleheader against the University of Maine Black Bears on Saturday, March 15th, First pitches are set for 12 and 2 respectively.
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.
