By Rachael Cataldo, Asst. sports editor
The Susquehanna softball team defeated Misericordia University 8-2 in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader before dropping game two 1-0 on Thursday, April 26 at Sassafras Field in Selinsgrove.
The Cougars (19-15) got on the board in the top of the second inning on a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead. \
The River Hawks (24-10) tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the inning. Junior Jackie Gore scored on the play by an error from the Misericordia left fielder.
Misericordia answered in the top of the third with a single run. Senior Leigh Ann Greenwald hit an RBI-single to score freshman Kody Streeter to keep the game tied at 2-2.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the fifth when the River Hawks brought their bats to life for four runs to take the 6-2 lead.
Senior McKayla Brady singled to center field. Sophomore Kasey Bost singled up the middle and Greenwald followed with a two-RBI single. Gore was walked, and Greenwald scored on a groundout by freshman Brittany Hebda. Senior Heather Pearson hit an RBI single to second base to score Gore.
Bost hit a home run to left field and senior Kelly Miller added a sacrifice fly to extend the River Hawk lead to 8-2.
Greenwald finished 3-4, Bost went 2-4, and Brady finished 2-3 after game one.
Freshman Gabby Bubba relieved junior starter Alexa Gonzalez and did not give up any hits or runs in three innings of work to secure the win.
In game two, the Cougars scored one run in the bottom of the fourth and came out with the victory.
Susquehanna hit the ball hard throughout the game. Senior Emilie Boman, Bost, and Greenwald registered hits for the River Hawks.
Freshman Brooke Wiarda threw three shutout innings in relief in the loss.
Pitcher Jordan Hoffman pitched an absolute gem in the win with a complete game, three-hit shutout.
Susquehanna will finish up Landmark Conference play when they travel to Drew on Saturday, April 28 for a doubleheader.
Drew has had a rough 2018 campaign as they currently sit at 10-23 on the year and a 1-9 in conference play. They also currently are on a ten-game losing skid that began back on April 11. Since then they have lost to FDU-Florham, number 10-ranked Moravian, Hunter, Scranton, and again to FDUFlorham.
Leading the way for the Rangers is Adriana Rodriguez, who has a team-high .375 batting average on the season. Heather Ronchi sits right behind her with a .352 average.
The biggest mismatch between the two teams lie in pitching, which has been a sore sight for Drew. The best ERA posted by any of their pitchers for this season is a 4.58 by Stephanie Burns. The other three pitchers have posted records of 4.65, 5.94 and 6.00 respectively.
No pitcher has posted more than three wins this season as well, but Burns has posted one shutout on the year. Megan Hulmes leads the team in strikeouts with 32.
Susquehanna will come into the game ranked third in the Landmark Conference behind Moravian, who are undefeated in conference play this season, and Scranton.
The River Hawks will also keep Drew’s catchers busy during this game. Greenwald, Streeter and sophomore outfielder Emily Lear currently sit in the top five in the Landmark Conference in stolen bases this season. Boman also is fourth in the conference in RBIs with 29.
Gonzalez, who will likely be on the mound for one of the games, is fifth in the conference in wins with 11.
Game one is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on April 28.
