RIVERSIDE, Calif. (3/6/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team suffered a heartbreaking loss in game two of a doubleheader to UC Riverside as the Highlanders earned a sweep over the Titans on Monday afternoon from the Golden State.
The Highlanders pulled away in the opener for a 7-1 win before a dramatic nightcap. After eight innings of scoreless ball, the Titan offense awoke to push three runs across the plate. The lead would be short-lived as UC Riverside scored four unearned runs to win 4-3 and spoil the night for Detroit Mercy.
The Titans picked up 10 hits on the day, led by sophomores
Courtney Gilbert and
Jordan Manno. Gilbert reached base four times while going 2-for-5 with two runs, a RBI and two walks. Manno went 3-for-7 on the day with a RBI.
GAME ONE: UC RIVERSIDE 7 – DETROIT MERCY 1
The Highlanders scored twice in the second and added a run in the third for an early 3-0 lead over Detroit Mercy. After a scoreless fourth, UC Riverside pushed four runs across in the bottom of the fifth to surge ahead, 7-0.
The Titans scratched a run across in the top of the sixth on a RBI single from senior
Grace Schmeiser, but Detroit Mercy would get no closer as the Highlanders earned the win.
Sophomore
Ashley Mauser took the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) in four innings of work. Mauser gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out two. Freshman
Ellie Boteler came on in relief and allowed one run (unearned) on three hits over the final two innings.
Six Titans picked up hits in the defeat. Schmeiser reached twice after going 1-for-2 with a walk and a RBI, while Gilbert went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk.
GAME TWO: UC RIVERSIDE 4 – DETROIT MERCY 3 (9 INN.)
Freshman
Liz Murphy was dominant on the mound for the Titans in game two. Through the first eight innings, she limited the Highlander offense to four hits without conceding a run.
UC Riverside's Tayler Misfeldt was equally tough on the opposing pitcher's rubber, holding the Titans scoreless through the first eight innings.
Tied 0-0 after eight innings,
Sydney Pollock tripled down the right field line to push
Alyssa James across the plate and break the scoreless affair. Gilbert followed with a triple down the left field line to drive in Pollock and then came around on a RBI single from Manno to push the lead to 3-0.
A pair of errors in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Highlanders to cut Detroit Mercy's lead to 3-1. With two outs in the frame, UC Riverside picked up back-to-back hits to earn the walk-off victory.
Murphy took the loss, but her stat line was the finest of her young career. The freshman limited UC Riverside to six hits and picked up a career-high nine punch-outs, while throwing 155 pitches.
Manno led the offense with a 2-for-4 game at the plate, while Pollock and Gilbert each had a triple, run scored and a RBI.
ON DECK
The Titans return to action Wednesday night against San Diego State. First pitch is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST.
