VALPARAISO, Ind. (4/22/16) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team jumped out to an early lead and captured a 9-2 win on the road at Valparaiso University in Horizon League action on Friday afternoon.
 
Detroit scored four in the first and four more in the third, leaving little doubt about the eventual outcome.
 
The Titans pushed four across the plate in the first on three hits and a hit batter, with a RBI double by freshman shortstop Jordan Manno highlighting the inning.
 
Detroit went quietly in the second before back-to-back singles by Cheyenne Willeford and Manno put a pair of runners on base for sophomore Savvy Ferstle. Ferstle smashed a 1-0 offering over the right center fence for a three-run blast to make it 7-0.
 
Senior Katy Severson roped a triple down the right field line and scored to make it 8-0.
 
The Crusaders scratched two unearned runs across in the fourth, but would get no closer as junior Alexis Robison-Kohrs dominated from the circle.
 
Freshman Kara Vitale picked up a RBI single in the sixth to push Detroit's lead to 9-2 and the Titans breezed through the final innings to pick up the win.
 
Robison-Kohrs picked up her fifth win of the season after allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits and four strike outs in five innings of work.
 
Manno led the offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI. Ferstle went 1-for-4 with a homer and four RBI, while Willeford picked up three hits and two runs in four at bats.
 
Seven Titans picked up hits in the win, three of which recorded at least two hits.
 
The Titans improve to 14-32 overall and 6-10 in the Horizon League with the victory, while Valparaiso falls to 9-28 and 4-10 in conference action.
 
The two programs will return to the field on Saturday for a series-ending doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m. EST and will be streamed live via ESPN3.