Softball Outscored in Both Games Against Niagara

NIAGARA FALLS, NY- The Merrimack softball team lost both games to the Niagara University Purple Eagles in a road doubleheader on the afternoon of May 2nd.

 

Game 1 Score: Merrimack 1, Niagara 2

Game 2 Score: Merrimack 3, Niagara 10
 

Game 1 Recap

Anna Gedacht got the Game 1 start in the circle for the Warriors. She began her outing with a 1-2-3 inning including 2 strikeouts in the bottom of the 1st. The sophomore pitcher went back to the circle in the 2nd and got 2 groundouts to third base as well as adding another strikeout to her total. Gedacht then made 2 plays by her lonesome in the 3rd, getting a pair of grounders right back to her for outs. The Warrior's ace had ducks on the pond with 2 outs, but she got out of it as Thiana Brito recorded out number 3. Ellen Hubbard was a spark plug for the Warrior's offense as she started the top of the 4th with a double to left center field. She also stole third and then came home to score a few at-bats later to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Madeline Arvai kept the entourage going with a line-drive base hit over the head of the Niagara third baseman in the same inning. Anna Gedacht got back in the circle in the 4th and had another productive inning. Thiana Brito made an acrobatic diving catch in that inning to steal a hit from the Niagara batter for out number 3. Anna Gedacht got all ground outs in the 5th inning, keeping her efficient day in the circle entact. Ellen Hubbard continued her great offensive day in the 6th inning with a single up the middle. Thiana Brito came up after Hubbard and ran out an infield single. Two at-bats later, Brito stole second and third on consecutive pitches. Anna Gedacht had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out in the bottom of the frame, but she got two clutch groundouts to stop the Purple Eagles from making their advancement. Sam Russalesi walked and stole second to try and get some more offense for the Warriors in the top of the 7th. Although the Warriors made a great effort, Niagara walked it off in the bottom of the 7th. As a result, the Warriors lost Game 1 by another close score, this time 2-1.

 

Game 2 Recap

Sofia Palyan got the Warriors on the board early with a solo home run to deep left field in the top of the 2nd. Emma Prahin assumed the starting pitching duties in Game 2. She got important outs and kept the Purple Eagles at bay in the early innings. Sarah Shurtleff and Brandi Neil then took over the pitching in the 4th inning. The Warriors halted the surge from the Purple Eagles by throwing out a runner at home plate. Brandi Neil and Gabby Kaduson teamed up to get the out. Abby Choquette provided some offense in the 6th inning with a single to right field. Sofia Palyan kept her great day at the plate rolling with an RBI double to center field. Hannah Scarano came up in the same inning and hit a single to left field for an RBI of her own. The Warriors kept the offense going in the 6th inning as Sydney Shinopulos and Eva Issitt also recorded hits. Although the Warriors had a big offensive push in the later innings, they ultimately dropped Game 2 by a score of 10-3.
 

Game 1 Notes and Numbers

• Ellen Hubbard was 2 for 3.

• Anna Gedacht commanded the circle for the Warriors with 5 strikeouts and a number of PFPs.
  
   

Game 2 Notes and Numbers

• Sofia Palyan was 3 For 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs.

• Hannah Scarano pinch hit and delivered an RBI in the 6th inning. 

• Emma Prahin set down 3 Niagara batters via strikeout. Brandi Neil also recorded a strikeout as a reliever. 

This concludes the 2025 regular season for Merrimack softball. Thank you for supporting the team all season long. We hope to see you at the Warrior Softball Diamond at Martone-Mejail Field in 2026!