SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (April 12, 2015) – The Edinboro softball team took the field for the first time in 10 days on Sunday afternoon in Slippery Rock. The Fighting Scots had to shake off some early rust but ultimately won the first affair 4-1 in extra innings and the second game 5-4. They are now 11-6-1 on the season and 3-4-1 in the PSAC. The Rock falls to 9-15 overall and 6-8 in the conference.

Brooke Callaghan and Kylie Mason each had big days at the plate for the Scots. Callaghan was a perfect 6-for-6 swinging the bat with four runs, one home run, one RBI, and one walk while Mason batted 4-for-7 with two runs, one home run, three RBI, and a base on balls including reaching base in each of her last five plate appearances. Callaghan is now hitting 9-for-13 (.629) over her last four games with at least one run in each, six in total, three home runs, and five RBI and Mason has at least two hits in three straight games.

GAME ONE – Edinboro 4, Slippery Rock 1 (Nine Innings)
The Edinboro bats needed some time to wake up after not playing in ten days, but big hits in the clutch. The Fighting Scots had five hits through the first six innings and trailed 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning.

Callaghan led off the top of the seventh inning with a single to right centerfield and eventually advanced to second on a single by Taylor Payne after Theresa Fleckenstein flied out. T.L. Wreh-Wilson stepped into the box to pinch hit for MaryLouise Lindner but struck out swinging for the Scots second out of the frame. This brought Mason to the plate. She singled to centerfield to score Callaghan and tie the game at 1-1.

 

Slippery Rock nearly ended the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ashley Samluk led off by reaching on a fielding error to reach second base and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Welch. With only out, The Rock needed just a deep enough sacrifice fly to win the game but Kalet Lenart shutdown Slippery Rock with back-to-back swinging strikeouts to bring the game in extra innings.

The Rock once again had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. After loading the bases with two outs, Lenart forced two fly outs to continue the game.

Callaghan led off the ninth inning and did so with a bang. The sophomore third baseman laced a solo home run to center field, her fourth of the season. The Fighting Scots then added two more insurance runs, one on an RBI groundout by Wreh-Wilson to score Alexandra Carroll and the other a solo home run by Mason. It was Mason's first homer of the year.

Lenart then shut down Slippery Rock in the bottom of the ninth inning for the victory. Her complete game effort moved her record to 3-2 on the season. The sophomore pitcher compiled six strikeouts interspersed with one run, nine hits, and two walks.

Carly DeRose also threw a complete game in the circle for The Rock. The loss drops her record to 6-7. She allowed four runs on 12 hits, one walk, and hit one batter.

Mason finished the first game 2-for-5 with one run, one home run, and two RBI. Callaghan batted 4-for-4, three of hits coming in leadoff situations, two runs, one home run, and one RBI including the game-winning hit.

GAME TWO – Edinboro 5, Slippery Rock 4
The Fighting Scots needed some late game heroics once again this time it was required on the defensive side.

Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Slippery Rock loaded the bases with nobody out following an obstruction by Edinboro. Alaynna Beers tried to score Emily Nagle with a sacrifice fly to left field, but Nagle was called out for leaving the base early after an appeal. With two runners in scoring position, The Rock still threatened. Caitlin Baxter grounded out to shortstop on the first pitch she saw to end the game.

Slippery Rock held a brief lead in the contest. Welch drove in Lauren Hawley after Hawley reached on a throwing error in the second inning. The Rock led 1-0 heading into the third inning.

Edinboro scored its five runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. Heather Tighe scored Mason on a RBI single in the third inning. The Scots then took advantage of three hits and two Slippery Rock errors in the fourth inning. Callaghan reached on a double to left field and then advanced to third on a passed ball. She scored off a bunt by Fleckenstein. With two outs after Jessica Hyland struck out, Lindner reached on a fielding error which brought Mason to the plate with two on. The junior shortstop delivered an RBI single to left centerfield to boost the Scots lead to 3-1.

The action picked up in the fifth frame. The Fighting Scots capitalized once more off an error by The Rock to tack on two more runs. Fleckenstein reached on a fielding error which allowed Callaghan and Heather Tighe both to score with two outs. In the bottom portion of the frame, Edinboro committed a plethora of errors. The first error occurred with Katie Kaiser at-bat and runners on first and second base. A fielding error by the Scots loaded the bases. With Megan Maloney at the plate and the bases loaded, Edinboro committed yet another fielding error which scored two runs. The Rock then added one final unearned run in the frame when Katie Kaiser scored after the Scots third and final error of the inning. Edinboro's lead was cut to 5-4.

The Fighting Scots attempted to add an insurance run in the sixth inning. With only one out and Lindner on third base and Laura Crooks on first base, the Scots went for the double steal but their efforts were thwarted as The Rock turned the double play.

Kerri Stevens was credited with the victory after throwing 4.1 innings and allowing no earned runs, four unearned. She improves to 3-1 this season as she allowed four hits, no walks, and struck out two batters.

Brooke Dawson earned the loss after pitching a complete game and fell to 3-5 this season. She allowed five runs, two earned, while striking out seven. Dawson also conceded seven hits, two walks, and hit two batters.

Callaghan and Mason combined to go 4-for-4 with three runs, one RBI, and two walks in the finale.

NEXT UP – Tuesday, April 14 vs. Gannon (DH)
Edinboro is scheduled for its first home contest of the season on Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader against local rival Gannon. The Lady Knights defeated the Fighting Scots in the first meeting between the two up in Erie by scores of 12-4 (five innings) and 3-1. Gannon currently has a record of 15-6 overall and 9-1 in the PSAC as they travel to Indiana (Pa.) tomorrow to take on the Vulcans before heading to Edinboro.