Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 INDIANAPOLIS (4/27/18) -- The University of Detroit Mercy (13-24, 8-7 HL) softball team picked up a pair of pivotal wins against Horizon League newcomer IUPUI (13-30, 9-13 HL) on Friday afternoon.

In game one, Jordan Manno had two RBI, Courtney Gilbert added a RBI and Sydney Pollock and Kara Vitale each scored a run.

In game two of the doubleheader, Maddy Scarsella went 3-for-3 with three hits, five RBI, three runs scored, and a walk and Vitale went 3-for-3 with a RBI and three runs scored.

Overall, Scarsella had three hits, five RBI, scored four runs and walked three times on the day and Vitale had four hits, one RBI, scored four runs and walked twice, putting them each on base six times across both games.

15 runs was the most the Titans posted in a Horizon League game since April 25, 2015 when they defeated then Horizon League member Valparaiso by a score of 16-3 at home.

That is also the most runs the red, white and blue scored in a road game since 1992, when they knocked off Florida International by a score of 17-2. 

DETROIT MERCY 5 – IUPUI 2
The Titans fell behind early after IUPUI scored two in the bottom of the second.

After struggling at the plate through four innings, the bats came alive in the top of the fifth.

Scarsella led off the inning with a walk followed by a Vitale single through the left side.

Pollock then joined in on the fun, singling down the left field line and loading the bases for Elizabeth Yager.

Yager remained patient at the plate, drawing a walk and driving in a run in the process, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Manno doubled into left-center field, driving in two runs and giving the red, white and blue its first lead of the game, 3-2.

Courtney Gilbert then laid down a bunt and reached first base successfully, also driving in a run, doubling the lead to 4-2.

Titans head coach John Conway gave Gilbert the sign to steal second base and Manno scored on a throwing error by the catcher, extending the Titans lead to 5-2.

Mauser pitched a complete game gem, going the full seven innings while scattering three hits, two runs (zero earned), four walks and six strikeouts.

DETROIT MERCY 15 – IUPUI 4
The Titans bats stayed hot in game two of the doubleheader, propelling them to a 15-4 win.

The red, white and blue jumped on the Jaguars right out of the gate in the first inning scoring four runs.

Manno and Gilbert led off with back-to-back walks, and each stole a base, leaving runners on second and third for Savvy Ferstle.

Ferstle singled through the left side, driving in one run and leaving runners on the corners with no outs.

Kori Keyes then laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached successfully and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Jaguars' first baseman.

With the score 2-0 and runners on second and third, Vitale kept up her sizzling hitting with a single up the middle, extending the lead to 3-0, and advanced to second on the throw home, leaving runners in scoring position. 

Scarsella came up next and singling to left field, giving the Titans a 4-0 lead.

IUPUI would immediately answer, tacking on three runs in the bottom half of the first inning, but the Titans would pull away after that. 

In the top of the third, Vitale doubled to right center, followed by a Scarsella infield RBI single, extending the lead to 5-3.

With Scarsella on first, Alyssa Lang would single to left field and Pollock would draw a walk, loading the bases for pinch hitter Skylar Fairchild.

Fairchild remained patient at the plate, drawing a walk and driving in a run, making the score 6-3. Lang then capitalized on a wild pitch, putting the Titans up 7-3. 

The Jaguars would try to claw their way back into it with another run in the bottom of the third making the score 7-4, but the Titans immediately shut down that idea.

The Titans scored six runs in the top of the fourth to blow the game wide open. Ferstle started off the action in the top of the inning with a solo home run, making the score 8-4.

Keyes doubled to left center and Vitale walked, which set up Scarsella for a three-run home run, stretching the lead to 11-4.

Pollock then drew a walk and stole second base, setting up Manno for an RBI opportunity and she singled up the middle, scoring Pollock and making and pushing the advantage to 12-4. 

Manno then scored on a throwing error from the Jaguars, ending the Titans offensive barrage in the fourth inning at six, and leaving the score at 13-4.

The red, white and blue were not done there as it tacked on another pair of runs in the top of the fifth.

Vitale doubled to right field and Scarsella walked, putting a runner in scoring position for Pollock, who knocked a RBI single up the middle.

Fairchild then reached on an error by the second baseman, allowing Scarsella to race home for a 15-4 lead. 

Liz Murphy pitched a complete game, going five innings, while allowing five hits, four runs (three earned), four walks and three strikeouts.
 
ON DECK
The Titans will finish the series against IUPUI with a single game tomorrow. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and the link for live stats is available atop the page.