Clermont, Fla.- The Marywood University softball team wrapped up its spring break trip with a pair of thrilling victories on Friday morning, defeating the University of Northwestern (MN) 10–9 in eight innings before edging Otterbein University, 8–7.
Game One: Marywood 10, Northwestern (MN) 9 (8 inn.)
Marywood rallied from a six-run deficit with a huge seventh inning before scoring the eventual winning runs in the eighth.
The Pacers struck first in the opening inning. After
Kat Davis reached and
Marley Sarafinko advanced into scoring position,
Tori Para grounded out to bring home the game's first run. Moments later,
Marissa Hoffman drove in Sarafinko with another groundout.
Northwestern quickly answered with a five-run bottom of the first. A wild pitch plated the Eagles' first run before RBI plays from Emma Edwards, Brooklyn Anderson and Grace Keith helped Northwestern surge ahead.
The Eagles extended the lead in the second inning when Lauren Schoper stole home and Anderson delivered an RBI single. Northwestern later added another run in the sixth to build an 8–2 advantage.
Marywood's comeback began in the seventh. Hoffman sparked the rally with a two-run single to center that scored Sarafinko and Davis. A bases-loaded walk to
Renee McDonald brought in another run before
Lauryn Notari grounded out to drive in
Mia Antolino.
Riley Marshall then delivered a sacrifice fly to score
Emily Dubisz, and Davis followed with an RBI single to tie the game.
In the eighth inning, the Pacers completed the comeback. Hoffman doubled to center to score Sarafinko and give Marywood its first lead since the first inning. Notari added an insurance run with an RBI single that pushed the margin to 10–8.
Northwestern answered with a run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from Hannah Lexvold, but Dubisz held on in the circle to secure the win.
Dubisz tossed eight innings in relief, allowing seven runs (three earned) on 11 hits while earning the victory.
Hoffman led the Pacers at the plate, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including the go-ahead hit in the eighth. Davis and Sarafinko each recorded two hits, while Notari added two RBIs for Marywood in the extra-inning victory.
The Pacers finished with 11 hits in the game and capitalized on five Northwestern errors to complete the comeback win.
Game Two: Otterbein 7, Marywood 8
Marywood struck first in the opening inning. After back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases, McDonald delivered a two-run single up the middle to bring home Sarafinko and Davis for a 2–0 lead.
Otterbein answered in the second inning when Liyah Smith singled up the middle to drive in two runs and even the score. The Pacers quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame. Davis singled to score
Ariana Shellman, and a sacrifice fly from Para plated
Riley Marshall.
Marywood regained control in the bottom of the fourth inning with a three-run rally.
Lauryn Notari doubled to left field to score Hoffman and Para, and McDonald followed with an RBI single to center.
Otterbein tied the game in the fifth inning with a run-scoring groundout and another run that scored on an error, knotting the game at 7–7.
The Pacers responded in the sixth inning when Notari blasted a solo home run to put Marywood back in front.
Dubisz closed the door from there, pitching the final three innings and allowing just one unearned run to earn the win in relief.
Marywood totaled 11 hits in the game. Notari went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and the go-ahead home run, while McDonald finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Marshall added three hits and scored a run, and Davis chipped in two hits and an RBI.
The Pacers (4-4) host Elmira College in their home opener next Saturday at 12 p.m.
