SAN DIEGO, Calif. (3/3/17) – A seventh-inning rally came up just short as the University of Detroit Mercy softball team had its hopes of a split spoiled on day one of the San Diego Classic. The Titans suffered a lopsided defeat to Brigham Young, before being edged, 6-4, by San Diego in the nightcap.
 
Seniors Alyssa James and Laura Villagrana led the way for Detroit Mercy offensively. James went 3-for-6 on the day with a double, stolen base and two RBI, while Villagrana went 3-for-3 with a triple, double, walk and two runs scored in game two.
 
With the losses, the Titans fall to 3-9 on the season. Detroit Mercy will look to end the skid with a pair of games tomorrow against UC Davis (1:30 p.m. EST) and San Jose State (4 p.m.).
 
GAME ONE: BYU 16 – DETROIT MERCY 0
The Cougars of BYU, a ranked team for most of the season, took an early lead against the Titans and exploded for a seven-run second inning to take control of the game. Brigham Young capitalized on three errors and 11 walks to score a run or more in every inning on the way to victory.
 
The Titans picked up five hits and three walks but could not manage to push a run across the plate.
 
Sophomore Ashley Mauser was tagged with the loss after getting the start. Freshmen Cami Sinclair and Ellie Boteler appeared in relief, with Boteler proving the most effective after allowing a lone run on two hits in 1.1 innings.
 
GAME TWO: SAN DIEGO 6 – DETROIT MERCY 4
Villagrana smoked a one-out triple in the top of the first and came around to score on a RBI single from junior Savvy Ferstle and give the Titans the first lead of the game. After a groundout, Ferstle advanced to second before stealing third and scoring on an overthrow to push the lead to 2-0.
 
The lead was short-lived, however, as the Toreros manufactured three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-2 advantage.
 
San Diego added a run in the bottom of the second before the Titans answered with a run in the third. Jordan Manno reached to start the inning and advanced to second on a single by Villagrana, then came around to score on a RBI single from James and cut the deficit to one at 4-3.
 
USD responded with a run in the bottom of the third and after a couple scoreless frames added another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-3 lead.
 
Villagrana smacked a one-out double down the left field line to start a rally in the top of the seventh, before James doubled to center to trade places with Villagrana and bring the tying run to the plate. A sharp groundout would end the threat as San Diego held on for the win.
 
Villagrana went 3-for-3 with a walk, triple, double and two runs scored, while James was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
 
Freshman Liz Murphy took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in a complete game effort.
 
ON DECK
The Titans turn around quickly with a pair of games on Saturday. Detroit Mercy faces UC Davis at 1:30 p.m. EST and San Jose State at 4 p.m.