BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Apr. 22, 2021) – Powered by a one-hit shutout from sophomore Alexi Benson (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) in game one, the Mercy College softball team earned a 3-0 victory over ECC foe University of Bridgeport on Thursday afternoon. Game two was halted after eight innings due to darkness with the score tied at 1-1. The game will resume prior to the two teams' doubleheader on Sunday, April 25th at 1 p.m.
The Mavericks (13-6, 12-3 ECC) have won five games in a row and their 12-3 start in ECC play is the best start in program history. The Purple Knights (11-2, 11-2 ECC) suffer just their second loss of the season.
Game 1: Mercy 3, Bridgeport 0
A pitcher's duel broke out between Benson and Bridgeport started Miranda Hillman. The score remained 0-0 after four innings of play until Mercy broke through with two runs in the top of the fifth to take a 2-0 lead. Freshman Alexandra Karavias (Westbury, N.Y./WT Clarke) led off the inning with a single and freshman Mia Harris (West Harrison, N.Y./Harrison) reached on an error to put runners on second and third. Junior Ariana Ricci (Sacramento, Calif./Cosumnes Oaks) then singled to right field to plate Karavias and Harris also scored following an error by the catcher to make it 2-0.
The game remained 2-0 and Benson held the Purple Knights without a hit until the bottom of the sixth. The Mavericks added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to make it 3-0. After a pair of strikeouts to start the inning, senior Casey Akers (Keller, Texas/Timber Creek) singled. Junior Alexis Crawford (Hemet, Calif./West Valley High) than tripled to center field, allowing Akers to score.
Benson retired Bridgeport in order in the bottom of the seventh to give Mercy the game one win.
Benson allowed just one hit over seven innings with six strikeouts to pick up her sixth win of the season. Crawford went 1-for-4 with an RBI and Ricci went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Karavias went 1-for-2 and Akers and senior Danielle Burgos (Calexico, Calif./Arizona Western College) both went 1-for-3. Senior Hannah Mueller (Fair Oaks, Calif./Bella Vista) went 2-for-4.
Bridgeport was led by Taylor Yates who went 1-for-3. Hillman allowed one earned run in seven innings to take the loss.
Game 2: Mercy 1, Bridgeport 1
Bridgeport picked up the game's first run in the bottom of the first on a Taylor Yates RBI single. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the seventh when the Mavericks plated a run to tie the game at 1-1. Burgos singled and advanced to third following an error by the right fielder. Senior Alyssa Guzman (Riverside, Calif./Mount San Antonio College) then walked and stole second. Sophomore Samantha Franck (La Habra Heights, Calif./La Habra) reached on a fielder's choice with Burgos being thrown out at home and Guzman moving to third. Franck then stole second before a wild pitch allowed Guzman to score the tying run and Franck moved to third. After Harris walked, a strikeout ended the inning with the go-ahead run at third.
The Purple Knights loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh but junior Catherine Zucker (North Babylon, N.Y./St. Joseph's College (LI) induced a fly out to end the inning. Akers doubled to lead off the eighth but was left stranded and the game remained 1-1. Bridgeport put runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth but junior Katelyn Shephard (Beaumont, Calif./Beaumont) got a strikeout to end the inning. The game was then called due to darkness.
Akers, Mueller and Burgos all recorded a hit for Mercy. Senior Jessica Becchetti (Eastchester, N.Y./Ramapo College) pitched 6.2 innings with one run allowed and four strikeouts.
Mercy resumes action on Saturday, April 24th when they host STAC at 1 p.m.
