SOFTBALL BLANKED BY MISERICORDIA 5-0 IN SPRING BREAK FINALE

CLERMONT, Fla. – Misericordia University defeated Emmanuel College 5-0 on Friday afternoon in the Saints final day of softball action at the NTC Spring Games. Misericordia improves to 3-7 on the trip while the loss drops the Saints to 3-7.

After an inning and a half of hitless softball Misericordia heated up after Jessica Pluta (Dauphin, Pa.) recorded the first hit of the game on a single to centerfield advancing Lori Brennan (Howell, N.J.) to second base. Jordan Hoffman (Schnecksville, Pa.) followed up by singling to right field advancing both runners into scoring position.  With the bases loaded, Alexa Doggett (Gettysburg, Pa.) hit yet another outfield single and Brennan crossed home opening the scoring for the Cougars. The next at bat was a sacrifice fly to center field by Mackenzie Yurko (Orangeville, Pa.), helping Pluta score from third. With two outs Brooke Moyle (Philipsburg, Pa.)  hit a ground rule double to right field scoring Hoffman to put the Cougars up 3-0. EC sophomore pitcher Megan Keiselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) then retired the side.

In the top of the third, Sarah Hoisl (West Hartford, Conn.) was the first Saint to reach first base and was followed by the Saints first hit, a grounder up the middle by freshman shortstop Sydney Rogers (Southwick, Mass.). Moyle continued to be tough to hit stifling the Saints to get out of the inning.

The Cougars struck again in the bottom of the third. Alexis D'Amico (Riverside, N.J.) was batted in by Hoffman after reaching on an bunt single.  M. Keislback retired the next batter to get out of the inning with two runners in scoring position.  The batter would be her last of the day as she was replaced by senior pitcher Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) heading into the fourth inning.

Melanie Quintanil (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) hit a leadoff triple to start things off in the bottom of the fifth.  She was knocked in by Hoffman on another triple and the run would prove to be the games last.

M. Kieselback suffered the loss going three innings allowing four of five runs (three earned).Moyle earned the win on a complete game shut out allowing just three hits while striking out six.

The game concludes the Saints 10-game gulf coast swing and they return to action next Saturday, March 18 for a doubleheader at Roberto Clemente Field against Newbury College starting at 12:00 PM.