Senior Day Picture Gallery
 
DETROIT (5/6/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team was upended late in the series opener against Youngstown State, 4-3, on Senior Day from Buysse Ballpark.
 
The Penguins broke a 3-3 tie with a manufactured run in the top of the fifth and managed to quiet the Titan offense over the final three frames to pick up the victory.
 
Youngstown State struck first as the Penguins capitalized on an error to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. YSU added a run in the third to take a 3-0 lead as Maddi Lusk shut out the Titans through the first three frames.
 
Detroit Mercy's bats woke up in the fourth as three straight Titans reached base to load the bases. Senior Grace Schmeiser hit a liner to center to plate the first run and classmate Cheyenne Willeford drew a walk a batter later to bring the Titans within one.
 
With two outs, sophomore Jordan Manno delivered with a RBI single down the right field line to tie the game at 3-3. YSU would escape the jam as the Titans settled for three runs on four hits in the frame.
 
The Penguins answered, however, with a run in the fifth after a sacrifice and fielder's choice pushed a run across to take the lead.
 
Sophomore Kara Vitale doubled to lead off the home half of the sixth and got to third as Schmeiser reached on a Penguin error. After a steal, the Titans had runners on second and third before Willeford lined out sharply.
 
Villagrana hit a fly ball to left in the next at bat, but the potential tying run was thrown out at the plate as the Penguins hung on to the lead.
 
Manno reached base three times and went 1-for-2 to extend her hitting streak to 12 games. The sophomore added a RBI and stolen base to lead the Titan offense.
 
Schmeiser went 2-for-3 with a run, RBI and stolen base, while Ferstle and James each added a hit and a run scored.
 
Freshman Liz Murphy took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out three in seven innings of work.
 
Prior to the game, Alyssa James, Kayla Kane, Grace Schmeiser, Laura Villagrana and Cheyenne Willeford were honored for their contributions and commitments to the Titan softball program as family, teammates, coaches and staff gathered with the senior class.
 
Detroit Mercy and Youngstown State resume the series on Sunday with a doubleheader at Buysse Ballpark. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 11 a.m., with game two at approximately 1 p.m.