EDINBORO, Pa. (April 14, 2015) - The Edinboro softball team rallied to end a six-game losing streak to Gannon in the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon in Edinboro, Pa. The Fighting Scots overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 8-4 in the finale after losing 7-6 in the first game. Edinboro's overall record now stands at 12-7-1 and 4-5-1 in the PSAC West while Gannon moves to 16-7 and 10-2 in conference. This was the Scots first time hosting this season as a number of previously scheduled home games were postponed due to inclement weather.

The Fighting Scots had a trio of great individual efforts. Heather Tighe batted 3-for-6 with one run, her first home run of the season, five RBI, and one walk. Haley Struebing finished the day 3-for-7 including the game-winning hit in the second game as she totaled four RBI across the two games. Kylie Mason, who scored the game-winning run, had five runs on the day while hitting 4-for-6 with one walk and one hit by pitch. The junior shortstop extended her hitting streak to five games and has now scored at least one run in four straight contests.

GAME ONE: Gannon 7, Edinboro 6
 

The high-scoring first game was a back-and-forth contest between the two that Gannon ultimately pulled out.

Edinboro was the first team to score a run. In the bottom half of the opening inning Mason and Laura Crooks led off with two singles. Tighe's sacrifice bunt advanced the two runners into scoring position. Struebing then drove a sacrifice fly deep enough into right field to score Mason. The Fighting Scots led 1-0 at the end of one inning.

Gannon took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning due to a fielding error. With runners on the corner and two outs, Jen Moran hit a shot to the warning track that Jessica Hyland was able to settle under but could not secure the catch, allowing the runners to score and Moran to reach third base. Alyssa Bates then stepped to the plate and delivered a single through the left side to score Moran and the final run of the inning.

The Fighting Scots immediately tied the game back up. The trio of MaryLouise Lindner, Mason, and Crooks all reached base to leadoff the frame. A wild pitch scored Lindner and advanced the other two runners. After Tighe flied out to first base, Struebing reached following a successful bunt scored Mason. With only one out and Crooks on third base, the Scots tried to execute a double steal which Struebing reached second base safely but the Lady Knights were able to get Crooks out at home. Shelby Proctor then struck out swinging to end the inning, tied 3-3.

The two teams combined just three hits in the fourth and fifth innings before an eventful final two innings. With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Gannon strung together three straight hits. After Rachel deGuia singled and then Kaylyn Shaughnessy doubled to put runners in scoring position, Allie Salerno delivered a two RBI double. After Jess Rectenwald grounded out to first base and advanced Salerno to third base, Jackie Martinez singled to score Salerno. The Lady Knights then loaded the bases bringing Katie Dunn to the plate. The Gannon catcher singled to score Martinez. Edinboro made a pitching change at this point bringing Claire Johnston into the circle to replace Kerri Stevens. The Scots sophomore pitcher forced a sharply hit ball by Alexa Archambeault into the gap between second and third base where it hit Batts trying to advance to third for the final out. Gannon led 7-3 at this point.

Edinboro staged a comeback attempt in the finale frame. Lindner led off with a single before Mason flied out to second base. Crooks then got on base with a single to bring up Tighe. The Fighting Scots designated player launched a three-run home run, her first of the season, to bring the score to 7-6. Gannon then brought Rectenwald in to pitch from centerfield. The Lady Knights senior struck out Struebing and then forced Proctor to pop up to shortstop to secure the 7-6 victory and pick-up her first save of the year.

Olivia Gumbita improved to 8-2 as she started for the Lady Knights. She allowed six runs on 10 hits and walked two while striking out three.

Stevens record falls 3-2 on the year. The Edinboro sophomore scattered 10 hits and three walks across 5.2 innings allowing seven runs, four earned, with three walks and four strikeouts.

Tighe's three RBI were a game-high as she hit 1-for-3 with the home run and one run scored.

Struebing finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.

Lindner batted 2-for-3 in the first game with two runs while Mason also had two runs on 1-for-3 hitting and a walk.

Salerno led Gannon with two RBI. The freshman shortstop hit 2-for-3 and scored once.

GAME TWO: Edinboro 8, Gannon 4
The Fighting Scots fell behind 3-0 in the top of the third inning but six-run sixth inning allowed the Scots to walk away with the victory.

Gannon scored its first run in the opening inning. With two outs and two runners on base, Dunn hit an RBI single to score Moran. The Lady Knights led 1-0 at end of one inning.

Back-to-back doubles by Bates and Dunn in the top of the third inning increased the Gannon lead to 3-0. Bates double scored Martinez with one out and then Dunn scored Bates with her double. The Fighting Scots turned to the bullpen while trailing bringing on Samantha Weaver to pitch for starter Kalet Lenart. Weaver first batter faced she struckout Archambeault but a passed ball allowed her to reach first base. Weaver was unfazed by the matter and retired the next two Lady Knights in order.

Edinboro's first run came in the bottom portion of the third inning. Mason singled to lead off and then advanced to second base on a ground out by Crooks. Tighe then singled to score Mason as Gannon now led 3-1.

Neither team reached base in the fourth inning and Weaver retired Gannon in order in the top of the fifth inning. The Fighting Scots would cut into the lead once more. Similar to the third frame, Mason got on base to lead off, this time being hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice by Crooks advanced Mason to second and steal brought the Scots shortstop to third, Tighe once again hit an RBI single to score Mason. Edinboro now trailed 3-2.

The Lady Knights had two hits in the top of the sixth inning but left two on base to open the sixth inning. The Fighting Scots followed with an action-packed bottom of the sixth to take the lead. After Proctor singled and Theresa Fleckenstein reached on a fielder's choice, Melissa Roseman pinch ran for Fleckenstein while Johnston pinch hit for Alex Carroll. Johnston's sacrifice bunt advanced Roseman and Proctor into scoring position with only one out. Lindner then laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt that looked to spell trouble early for the Fighting Scots. Proctor attempted to come home but the catcher Dunn was able to corral the ball quick enough to force Proctor to attempt to backtrack but Roseman was coming into third base at the same time. Dunn threw to third base with a chance at a double play but the throw sailed into left field, allowing Lindner to reach second base and both the two runners to score, giving Edinboro a 4-3 lead.

Edinboro's sixth inning continued with a display of beautiful small ball by the next two batters. Mason and Crooks each reached on well-placed bunts to load the bases with one out. Tighe struck out to bring Struebing up. The junior first baseman doubled to right field to score Mason and Lindner. Callaghan followed suit with a double as Crooks and Struebing each touched home. Proctor was then retired on a groundout to end the inning, the Fighting Scots leading 8-3.

 

The start of the seventh inning went smoothly for Weaver as she discharged the first two Gannon batters with relative ease. The Lady Knights cleanup hitter Bates singled to begin a threat for Gannon. Dunn then followed with a single which brought Archambeault to the plate where she produced an RBI single. Ahead now 8-4 with runners on the corner, Weaver forced Shaughnessy to fly out to left field to secure the victory.

Weaver spread five hits and one run over 4.2 innings for her first win of the year. The sophomore struck out two and walked none. Her record now stands at 1-1.

The meat of the Edinboro order each tallied two RBI as Tighe, Struebing, and Callaghan combined to hit 5-for-11 with one run scored.

Mason went 3-for-3 in the second game with three runs scored, a single game career-high for the Seneca, Pa. native.

Rectenwald was credited with the loss. She threw a complete game and allowed eight runs, six of which were unearned, while giving up 10 hits, striking out two, walking two, and hitting one batter.

NEXT UP: Wednesday, April 15 at Mercyhurst (DH)
In a week jam-packed full of games, the Fighting Scots will take the field again tomorrow. This time the team travels to Mercyhurst for a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader against the Lakers. Mercyhurst enters the day with a 10-18 overall record and 4-9 conference record.