CHICAGO (4/1/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team picked up a doubleheader split on the road at UIC in Horizon League action from the Windy City.
 
The Titans opened the day with a 7-4 win over the first-place Flames before settling for a split with a 6-1 defeat in the nightcap.
 
Junior Savvy Ferstle had a monster day from the plate, going 3-for-7 with a double, home run, four RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Courtney Gilbert went 3-for-9 on the day with a double, triple, two RBI and a run scored, while picking up a hit in each game to extend her hitting streak to 11-straight.
 
With the split, UIC earns the series win after taking the opener on Friday. The Flames improve to 4-1 in conference play, while the Titans sit level at 3-3.
 
GAME ONE: DETROIT MERCY 7 – UIC 4
The Flames got on the board with a run in the bottom of the first and added three more in the third to take a 4-0 lead over Detroit Mercy.
 
The Titans got two back on a two-out triple from Gilbert in the fourth, cutting UIC's lead to 4-2. Ferstle launched a solo homer to lead off the fifth and pull the Titans within one at 4-3 and added a two-run double in the sixth that put Detroit Mercy ahead for the first time at 5-4.
 
The Titans added two more in the sixth to cap a four-run inning and took the 7-4 lead into the seventh, where freshman Liz Murphy closed the door and preserved the win.
 
Sophomore Ashley Mauser got the start in the circle and allowed four runs on four hits and four walks across four innings. Murphy came on in relief and picked up the win after throwing three scoreless frames.
 
GAME TWO: UIC 6 – DETROIT MERCY 1
The Titans piled up five hits in the first three innings but could not capitalize and stranded all five as the game went scoreless into the bottom of the third. UIC seized control with three runs in the frame and added three more in the fifth.
 
Detroit Mercy threatened throughout the game, but couldn't capitalize until a run in the seventh as Ferstle picked up a RBI single to score Willeford.
 
Senior Laura Villagrana went 3-for-4 with a double to lead the offense, with sophomore Kara Vitale pitching in two hits in three at-bats.
 
Murphy got the start in the circle and allowed six runs (three earned) on 10 hits and two walks. Mauser came on in relief and tossed a scoreless final inning.
 
ON DECK
The Titans return to action with a non-conference matchup with Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, April 5. The Titans and Eagles will square off with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. from Buysse Ballpark.