Softball Splits ECC Twinbill With Bridgeport
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Box Score 2 STRATFORD, Conn. (Apr. 18, 2013) - On Thursday afternoon, the Mercy College softball team put its fourth-place standing in the East Coast Conference on the line against the University of Bridgeport. First, the two squads completed the suspended game from April 2 that was tied 5-5 after five innings. The Purple Knights won, 7-5. Then in Game 1 of the doubleheader, Mercy defeated Bridgeport, 6-3, while the Purple Knights downed the Mavericks in Game 2, which lasted 13 innings, 4-3.
After all the day's action, Mercy's record changed to 19-19 overall and 10-11 in the ECC, while Bridgeport's overall record is now 16-22 and its league ledger stands at 7-13.
Game 1: Mercy 6, Bridgeport 3
In the top of the first, sophomore Shelby Johnson (Bullhead City, Ariz.) blasted a three-run homer to give her team the early lead.
After Bridgeport tied it at 3-3 after five innings, Mercy scored three runs to take a 6-3 advantage. Junior Kelly Bentson (Brewster, N.Y.) had an RBI double, while a Bridgeport fielding error and a fielder's choice plated the other two runs.
Mercy junior reliever Jessica Simpson (Gilbert, Ariz.) earned the win as she hurled 2.1 innings of shutout ball. She whiffed three batters and walked none.
Game 2: Bridgeport 4, Mercy 3 (13 innings)
Mercy sophomore Chrissie Cleary (Smithtown, N.Y.) smacked an RBI double in the top of the third frame to tie the game at 1-1. One inning later, fellow sophomore Jackie Couillard (Wolcott, Conn.) notched a run-scoring double to give the Mavericks a 2-1 lead.
Bridgeport tied the game at 2-all in the bottom of the fourth.
Down 3-2 and facing a loss in the top of the seventh with one out, Mercy junior Briana Panarese (Monroe, N.Y.) reached on an error, allowing freshman Milana Gilaga (Elmwood Park, N.J.) to score.
After nearly playing another whole game (six innings: frames 8-13), Bridgeport scored the deciding run in the bottom of the 13th to win, 4-3.
Mercy junior starter Mary Sieber (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) pitched all 12.1 innings tonight, surrendering four runs.
Head Coach Mike Fazio and the Mavericks return to the field on Monday when they host Nyack College at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
