FLORENCE, S.C. (Feb. 16, 2020) – Powered by a career-high four RBI from junior Casey Akers (Keller, Texas/Timber Creek), the Mercy College softball team earned a 7-1 victory over Chowan University on Sunday afternoon at FMU Softball Stadium.

The Mavericks (3-1) have won three games in a row and are off to their best start since starting 4-0 in 2017. The Hawks (3-5) have dropped four games in a row.

Akers went 3-for-3 with four RBI and freshman Sydney Johnston (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) went 1-for-2 with an RBI. Sophomore Ariana Ricci (Sacramento, Calif./Cosumnes Oaks) also had an RBI and freshman Hailey Puglia (Holtsville, N.Y./Assumption College) went 1-for-4. Sophomore Katelyn Shephard (Beaumont, Calif./Beaumont) pitched 4.0 innings with one run allowed and four strikeouts to earn the win. Freshman Angelina Oquendo (Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood) pitched a scoreless inning of relief and junior Jessica Becchetti (Eastchester, N.Y./Ramapo College) pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

Chowan was led by Meredith Morgan who recorded an RBI. EmaRae Flores pitched 5.0 innings with five earned runs allowed to take the loss.

The Hawks scored their lone run of the game in the top of the first when Morgan reached on a fielder's choice to drive in a run.

It remained 1-0 until the bottom of the second when Johnston led off the inning with a hit by pitch and later scored on an Akers single up the middle to tie the game up at 1-1.

After a scoreless top of the third, Mercy exploded for four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-1 lead. Johnston brought home the first run of the inning with an RBI single through the left side that scored junior Hannah Mueller (Fair Oaks, Calif./Bella Vista) to make it 2-1. Ricci plated the second run when she drew a bases-loaded walk to give Mercy a 3-1 lead. Johnston later scored following a Hawk error to make it 4-1 and Akers finished off the scoring with an RBI single through the left side to give the Mavericks a 5-1 advantage.

It remained 5-1 until the bottom of the fifth when Akers hit a two-run double to left field that scored Ricci and freshman Leilany Rodriguez (West Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) to put Mercy ahead 7-1. Becchetti held Chowan hitless in the final two innings to secure the win.

Head Coach Mike Fazio and the Mavericks resume action on Friday, February 28th when they play at Barton for a doubleheader at 2 p.m.