ROSEMONT, ILL. (2/9/19) -- The University of Detroit Mercy softball team bounced back from yesterday's tough defeats with a pair of big victories on day two of the Total Control Sports Invitational. 

The Titans picked up back-to-back wins to even their overall record at 2-2 on the season by knocking off Evansville and Purdue Fort Wayne. 

In game one, Kori Keyes notched the first home run of the Titans season and Alyssa Lang had a ground-rule double to spark the Titans offense.

In game two on the day, Courtney Gilbert had a double, two RBI and scored a run for the red, white and blue.

DETROIT MERCY 4 – EVANSVILLE 3
Evansville took an early lead with a run in the first inning, but the Titans were up to the challenge. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Lang hit a ground-rule double to left center field which gave the Titans offense the spark it needed. Keyes singled up the middle and evened the score at 1-1. 

After the Titans leveled the game at 1-1, Ellie Boteler pinch hit for Leena Mortensen. Boteler doubled to left center field, putting runners on second and third with no outs. 

Taylor Gauthier bunted and reached first base, but Keyes was thrown out at home. Gauthier advanced to second base during the commotion, leaving runners on second and third with one out.

McKenna Tanguay stepped up to the plate and picked the perfect time for her first career RBI. She singled down the right field line, giving the red, white and blue their first lead of the game, 2-1. 

In the top of the fifth, Ashley Mauser pitched out of a big jam, with runners on the corners and behind in the count 3-0, she struck out the batter swinging to keep the score 2-1. 

Keyes knocked an inside-the-park home run into right field in the bottom of the sixth, extending the lead to 3-1, and providing what appeared to be a comfort run.

Evansville cut the Titans lead to 3-2 in the top of the seventh, and head coach John Conway went to the bullpen, calling on freshman Erica Guerrero. Guerrero fanned two batters but not before the Aces evened the score at 3-3.

With things all level in the bottom of the seventh, Jen Lorenz worked the opposing pitcher in an 11 pitch at bat before drawing a walk and putting a runner on base with no outs.

That was followed by singles from Jessenia Castillo and Jordan Manno, loading the bases for Gilbert. In unorthodox fashion, she was hit by the pitch, and the winning run was forced home, giving the Titans a 4-3 victory in game one.

Mauser went six innings, scattering five hits, three earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts, while Guerrero tossed one inning, scattering one hit, one walk and two strikeouts en route to gaining the first win of her collegiate career. 

DETROIT MERCY 5 – PFW 3
The Titans again fell behind early, surrendering a run in the first inning for the second straight game. 

However, they would again prove that they had the fight in them to come from behind, this time behind a huge third inning outburst. 

Tanguay started off the action by reaching on a fielding error. Castillo singled through the left side, putting runners on first and second. 

Gilbert stepped up to the plate and roped left center field, driving in both runners and giving the Titans their first lead of the game, 2-1. 

Lang singled through the left side and stole second, putting runners on second and third for Keyes who reached successfully on a throwing error and was able to advance to second in the process. 

Boteler then singled up the middle, driving in Keyes and extending the lead to 5-1. 

The Dons tried to chip away at the lead, adding a run in the bottom of the third and fifth, but the Titans pitching staff was lockdown throughout the game. 

Liz Murphy got the start in the circle, going 4.2 innings while scattering six hits, three runs (two earned), four walks and three strikeouts. 

Cami Sinclair got the call in relief and was up to the task, tossing .2 innings and forcing two fly balls to get the Titans out of a small jam.

Lastly, Erica Guerrero came in for the close and executed to perfection, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings en route to the first save of her collegiate career. 


ON DECK
The Titans will finish up action from the Total Control Sports Invitational with a 10 a.m. game vs. Butler tomorrow morning.