Immaculata, Pa. – The Marywood University softball team kicked off Atlantic East Conference play facing Immaculata Monday after being postponed due to weather. The Pacers split in the opening doubleheader dropping game one in a close 6-5 turnout and winning game two in six innings, 8-0.
Game One: Immaculata 6, Marywood 5
The Pacers fall in a seesaw battle with Immaculata.
Emma McNally swung the big bat for the Pacers going two for four with a home run and five RBIs.
In the top of the first, the Pacers pushed two runs across when McNally singled to right field plating Marley Sarafinko and Kat Davis.
The Mighty Macs responded quickly in the bottom of the second with a two-run homerun.
In the bottom of the third, the Mighty Macs hit another two-run homer. Immaculata then got bases loaded and an RBI walk gave the Mighty Macs a 5-2 lead.
Marywood had an opportunity in the top of the fifth to rally, Sarafinko singled to left, followed by Tori Para singling to center field. McNally came up and powered the ball over the fence to tie up the game, 5-5.
Immaculata in the bottom of the fifth scored on a throwing error.
Sam Ferrara started in the circle for the pacers going two and ⅓ innings. She surrendered six hits, five earned runs, and two walks. She also recorded a strikeout.
Tori Para (0-1) got the loss for the Pacers, she came in for relief pitching one and ⅔ innings allowing two hits, no earned runs, and two walks.
Marissa Gregory closed the game pitching two innings. She struck out two and allowed three hits.
Emma Mercadante got the win for Immaculata improving to 4-3 overall. In five and ⅔ innings she surrendered 10 hits and five earned runs.
Nadia Bhuiyan got the save for the Mighty Macs.
Game 3 (6 innings): Marywood 8, Immaculata 0
The Pacers swung hot bats in game two. Led by Renee McDonald who went three for four collecting two RBIs.
Davis got the Pacers going in the top of the first reaching on a fielder's choice plating McDonald.
In the third, Jessica Hanley singled to left plating McNally for a 2-0 lead.
Marywood rallied in the fifth. McNally belted her second homerun on the day. Alex Dusman and Abbey Stalter followed up, each tallying RBI singles. Then Davis reached on a fielder's choice to give the Pacers a 6-0 lead.
The Pacers would score again in the sixth when McDonald hit a two RBI single up the middle.
Gregory got the start for game two and threw her first shutout of the season. She allowed just four hits and struck out three. She now improves to 4-2.
Courtney Gable recorded the loss for the Mighty Macs pitching three and ⅔ innings allowing nine hits, three earned runs, and two walks.
The Pacers will have their home opener Tuesday against Clarks Summit.
