Softball Sweeps GMU, Earns Top Seed in Playoffs
Lindsey Gibbs earned the win in game one and got a save in game two as Marywood swept GMU Saturday

Softball Sweeps GMU, Earns Top Seed in Playoffs

Softball - 4/26/2014 5:11:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

Gwynedd Valley, PA - Marywood University earned the top seed in the upcoming CSAC playoffs for the first time in program history as the Pacers swept Gwynedd Mercy University 5-4 and 6-4 Saturday afternoon.  Marywood, now 21-9 on the year and 19-3 in the CSAC, won a tie-breaker against Neumann University who also finished with a 19-3 record.  The Knights traded wins with Immaculata Saturday, opening the door for Marywood to take the tiebreaker.  The Pacers, Knights and Mighty Macs all split amongst themselves, but Marywood swept Cabrini, who will be the #4 seed, while Neumann and Immaculata split with the Cavaliers.

Marywood won their only Conference Championship in 1995 when the CSAC was known as the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, but the Pacers were the #4 seed in that tournament. 

In today's opener against the Griffins, Marywood used a four-run third inning to take a 4-1 lead.  A Mariah Runco double to left center scored two of the runs, and Stephanie Bagniewski singled through the left side for an RBI.  Chelsea Epler singled up the middle for the final RBI of the inning.

The Pacers would then get an important insurance run in the next inning as Brooke Labs singled to left to score Sarah Recanati.  That run proved to be the game-winner, as the Griffins plated three in the bottom half of the frame to make it 5-4.

Lindsey Gibbs (10-3) got the win on the mound. Gibbs struck out eight and allowed four runs on 10 hits.  Runco finished the opener 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and RBIs.  Diana Butash recorded a triple. 

In the important nightcap, Marywood scored five runs over the final two innings to come from behind and win.  Trailing 4-1 after five full innings of play, Marywood scored three times in the sixth and added two more in the seventh for the win.

Gibbs came on in relief in the seventh with no outs and two runners on, and after walking one batter struck out the side to record her first save of the year.  Alyssa Bararo (8-5) pitched 2.2 innings of middle relief and got the win.  Despite scoring six runs, Marywood had only two RBI.  Samantha Rayhon had a double as did Bagniewski.

With the wins, the Pacers recorded their 10th 20-win season, six of which have come under the direction of Head Coach Bob Fitzsimmons.  The Pacers' 19 wins in league play are a program best. 

Marywood will close out their regular season tomorrow with a pair of non-conference games against Wilkes University. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon. 
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