HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY (4/8/16) – Freshman
Ashley Mauser delivered a three-hit shutout and the University of Detroit Mercy softball team blanked Northern Kentucky, 2-0, in Horizon League action on Friday afternoon.
Mauser had a dominant performance, allowing just seven base runners on the day over the complete game shutout. She tallied five strikeouts and induced 10 groundouts while throwing only 90 pitches in the outing.
Behind Mauser's day in the circle, the Titans scored all the runs they would need in the third inning.
Junior
Jenna Reeves led off the inning with a single up the middle.
Kara Vitale advanced the runner to second on a sacrifice, before
Cheyenne Willeford sent a single through the left side of the infield. A stolen base by Willeford and throwing error allowed the runner to score and gave Detroit the early 1-0 lead.
Jordan Manno made the lead 2-0 with a sacrifice groundout and the Titans clamped down on defense to preserve Mauser's shutout.
Willeford went 2-for-3 with a run scored and sophomore
Savvy Ferstle went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the offensive effort for Detroit.
Mauser's win over NKU was her sixth of the year, the most for a Titan since Kelli Short had six in 2007.
Friday's meeting was the first ever between Detroit and NKU.
The win improves Detroit's record to 9-27 overall and 2-5 in Horizon League play, while NKU falls to 8-26 overall and 1-5 in league action.
TITAN NOTES
- The Titans won their season opener in 2016 the first time since 2002, when Detroit defeated Robert Morris, 8-3.
- Detroit's back-to-back shutouts against Radford and South Carolina State were the Titans' first since 2006 against IPFW.
- UDM's three game win streak against Charleston, Radford and South Carolina State was the Titans' first since 2012 against Lafayette, Fairleigh Dickinson and Dayton
- Detroit recorded its third-straight shutout win with a 4-0 decision over Seton Hall. It was the first time UDM has done so since 1992 against Loyola and Dayton (twice)
- Detroit's 4-0 win over Seton Hall on Mar. 4 was Detroit's fourth-straight victory. The last time UDM had won four straight was in 2008 against La Salle (twice), Western Carolina and Holy Cross
- Mauser's win over NKU on April 8 was her sixth of the year, the most for a Titan since Kelli Short had six in 2007
ON DECK
The Titans and Norse wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2 p.m., with game two following at approximately 4 p.m.
