OXFORD, Ohio (3/19/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team dropped a pair of games on the final day of the Miami Invitational. The Titans began on Sunday with a 10-5 loss to Fort Wayne, before suffering a late 4-1 defeat to Miami (OH) in the afternoon.
 
Fort Wayne scored nine runs in the first two innings of the opener and despite a five-run, ten-hit rally from Detroit Mercy, was able post the win and avenge an early season loss to the Titans.
 
Freshman Ellie Boteler was stellar in her first career start to give the Titans a chance at the win in the nightcap. The rookie limited the Redhawks to a single run after scattering six hits in 5.2 innings of work.
 
The host Redhawks would spoil Detroit Mercy's hopes of victory with three runs in the top of the seventh.
 
Detroit Mercy picked up 15 hits as a team for the day, highlighted by sophomore Gilbert's 4-for-7 performance from the plate with a home run and three RBI.
 
Sophomore Jordan Manno went 2-for-7 with a run and RBI, while senior Cheyenne WIlleford went 2-for-7 with two runs scored. Senior Alyssa James went 2-for-3 with a double, walk, run and RBI in game one against Fort Wayne and newcomer Sydney Pollock went 2-for-6 with a double and her team-leading sixth stolen base of the year.
 
Liz Murphy, the Titans' leading pitcher, had a tough time in the circle and took the loss in both games. The rookie surrendered the lead early against Fort Wayne and came on in relief late in Miami's comeback.
 
Sophomore Ashley Mauser pitched the final five innings of game one and was strong in relief, limiting the Mastodon's attack to two runs on five hits while striking out three.
 
The Titans begin conference play next weekend at Wright State. The Titans and Raiders have a single game scheduled for Friday and a doubleheader set for Saturday.