YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (3-20-26) - Sophomores Madeline Hallman and Wendy Ketola each hit clutch RBI singles, followed by a huge two-run single from freshman Jenna Higgins to cap off a five-run sixth inning rally as Detroit Mercy posted a 9-6 come-from-behind win at Youngstown State in #HLSB opening day action on Friday night at the YSU Softball Complex. The Titans posted a season-high 15 hits.

Higgins finished the day going 2-for-5, while Ketola went 2-for-4 and Hallman went 1-for-1 with a run scored. Senior Trinity Fessler led the Titans (7-16, 1-0 HL) at the plate, going 4-for-3 with a double, RBI, and a walk, while sophomore Abby Klaft also had three hits, going 3-for-5 with an RBI.

Junior Jada Davis hit 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, with sophomore Natalie Babcock going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Freshman Hannah Schlachter added an RBI and a run scored.

Freshman Savannah Schultz picked up her fifth win of the season, going 6.2 innings with six strikeouts while also drawing two walks at the plate and scoring a run.

Recap:
• The Penguins (11-11, 0-1 HL) struck first with four runs off a fielder's choice and a 3-run homer in the first inning for a 4-0 lead.
• The Titans responded in the second inning as Davis, Fessler, and Klaft each hit RBI singles, followed by a fielder's choice from Schlachter to score Davis, tying the game at 4-4.
• YSU hit a RBI double in the fifth and a solo homer in the sixth to move ahead 6-4.
• UDM responded in a major way, posting five runs in the top of the 6th inning.
• Davis scored on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI single from Hallman to score Schlachter, tying the game at 6-6. Ketola then hit an RBI single to plate Schultz, followed by a two-run single from Higgins, moving the Titans ahead for good at 9-6.
• Schultz went on to close the door on the Penguins, holding them scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Titans close out the series with a doubleheader at YSU on Saturday, March 21,  at 1 p.m.