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DETROIT (4/19/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy picked up another series win after a come-from-behind walk-off in extra innings over Metro Series rival Oakland University on a cloudy afternoon of Horizon League softball from Buysse Ballpark in the Motor City.
The Titans trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh, but rallied to tie it up as freshman
Ellie Boteler ripped a double down the left field line to score senior
Alyssa James and send the game into extras.
With runners in scoring position and facing an 0-2 count with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, James ripped a letter-high pitch over the third baseman and into left to bring home sophomore
Jordan Manno and give the Titans the walk-off victory.
The rubber-match win gives the Titans their third series win of the season and improves their conference mark to 8-5, the most league wins for the program since 2006 and the third-most in the program's history. Detroit Mercy has nine Horizon League games remaining to improve on that mark.
Rookie
Liz Murphy got the start in circle and was sharp for the second consecutive day to keep the Titans in the game. Murphy allowed one run on six hits in 6.1 innings of work, before sophomore
Ashley Mauser came on relief to pick up the win with 1.2 scoreless innings.
Murphy allowed just three base runners in the first six innings of the game, but ran into trouble in the seventh as the first three Grizzlies picked up hits. After an out, Mauser came on in relief to escape the jam with a strikeout and groundout.
Detroit Mercy got its first crack at the walk-off after rallying to tie it in the bottom of the seventh, but a strikeout and groundout ended the threat as the Titans stranded runners on second and third.
Manno singled and
Courtney Gilbert walked with one out in the eighth to set the stage for James' walk-off line drive to left field.
As a team, the Titans held a 7-6 edge in hits over the Golden Grizzlies. James and freshman
Elizabeth Yager each tallied two hits to lead Detroit Mercy.
The Titans will look to keep the momentum going as the Horizon League homestand continues this weekend against Valparaiso. Detroit Mercy is scheduled to host the Crusaders on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 21-22. First pitch of Friday's single game is slated for 2 p.m. and Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m. All three games will be held at Buysse Ballpark.
