CLEARWATER, Fla. (3/5/16) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team was upended by Texas State and Providence on Saturday afternoon from the USF Under Armour Invitational.
 
The Titans (5-12) could not complete the comeback in a 5-3 loss to Texas State (16-5) in the opener, before wrapping up day two of the tournament with a 7-1 setback to Providence (8-8).
 
GAME ONE vs. TEXAS STATE
Texas State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. The Bobcats took advantage of two walks and an error, while sprinkling in a pair of hits, to plate the runs.
 
The Titans rallied to cut the deficit in half in the top of the third as Kristen Garceau and Jordan Manno each singled. A Cheyenne Willeford single loaded the bases with one out before Alyssa James recorded a RBI groundout to third.
 
The Bobcats were able to wiggle out of the third inning jam with a 2-1 lead, before getting an unearned run back in the bottom of the frame and another in the fourth to increase their lead to 4-1 over Detroit.
 
UDM responded with runs in the fifth and sixth innings to close the gap to just one run. Garceau and Villagrana sparked the rally in the fifth with back-to-back hits in the fifth, before a sacrifice fly from Manno plated Garceau. In the sixth, Jennifer Cottle doubled and later scored after stealing third and advancing on an errant throw.
 
Texas State capped the scoring with a run on a wild pitch in the sixth and set down the Titans in order in the top of the seventh to pick up the 5-3 win.
 
Three Titans had multiple hits in the game, led by Garceau who went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Kayla Kane went 2-for-3 from the dish, while Willeford went 2-for-4.
 
Senior Christa McGahuey was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings pitched, before junior Alexis Robison-Kohrs came on in relief and allowed one run over two innings.
 
GAME TWO vs. PROVIDENCE
Three Detroit errors spotted the Friars three runs in the top of the first. Providence added runs in the second and third innings and capped off the seventh with a pair of runs.
 
The Titans mustered just one hit in the first five innings as the bats were quieted for much of the game. Laura Villagrana sparked a rally with a leadoff single in the sixth and stole a base before crossing the plate on a RBI single to left by James.
 
Freshman Ashley Mauser was solid in the circle, allowing just two earned runs over seven innings pitched, but was tagged with the loss as the Titans struggled to get the bats going.
 
Junior Jenna Reeves led Detroit with a 2-for-3 game at the plate, while Villagrana went 1-for-3 with a run and James finished 1-for-3 with a RBI.
 
ON DECK
Detroit returns to action on Sunday against Penn at 11:15 a.m. The Titans then turn their attention to South Florida on Monday at 5 p.m.