EDINBORO, Pa. – The Edinboro University softball team's long-awaited home debut was spoiled by local PSAC West rival Gannon as the Fighting Scots dropped a pair of contests on Sunday afternoon. Following the sweep, the Fighting Scots are 11-10 overall and an even 3-3 in the PSAC West while the Lady Knights improved to 18-7 overall and took over sole possession of first place in the West at 5-1.
The Fighting Scots are right back in action at home tomorrow afternoon, playing a makeup doubleheader with the visiting California(Pa.) Vulcans. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Game One – Gannon 2, Edinboro 1
The opening contest of the day was a pitcher's duel as both starters went the distance, giving up a combined 11 hits between them.
Carley Nasca (3-3) was solid in the loss, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out four batters. Gannon's Olivia Gumbita (10-3) allowed just one run on five hits and had seven strikeouts in the contest.
After three hitless innings, the Fighting Scots finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth to take a 1-0 lead.
Danna Heh led off the home half with a double to short followed by a
Brooke Callaghan double to right center.
Claire Johnston delivered her first of two RBIs on the day, singling into left field to score the runner.
Edinboro held the 1-0 lead all the way until the top of the seventh inning. Taylor Wilp drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on an Autumn Smith fielder's choice. An Allison Salerno sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position to set up the winning Kellyn Perich two-run single to left center.
The Fighting Scots put a runner on base in the bottom half of the seventh thanks to an
Olivia Jankowski single, but the Lady Knights turned a double play to end the contest.
Heh was 2-for-3 in the contest, while Johnston was 1-for-3 with Edinboro's lone RBI.
Gannon's Perich was 2-for-3 with her two RBIs representing the winning hit. Maria Taliani was also 2-for-3 in the contest.
Game Two – Gannon 4, Edinboro 3
Opposite of the opening contest, it was Gannon that struck first in the final game of the doubleheader. A Lisa Szajn RBI double gave the Lady Knights in the top of the second inning.
The Fighting Scots didn't trail for long as Jankowski christened the beginning of a new home season with a solo shot to left center to tie the game at 1-1.
Edinboro took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Callaghan came around to score on a throwing error by the catch to give the Fighting Scots a 2-1 advantage, but the Lady Knights knotted the game up the next inning on a Salerno leadoff solo homer to right center.
Gannon retook the lead at 4-2 in the top of the sixth following a Salerno RBI and a runner coming across on an error.
Theresa Fleckenstein led off the home half of the sixth with a standup double before
Emily Osterberg came in on pinch run duty. Osterberg moved up to third on a Jankowski groundout allowing Johnston to drive in her for her second RBI of the day and cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Lady Knights threatened in the top of the seventh following a Rachel Tanilli two-out triple, but she was left stranded as the next batter grounded out to third.
The tying and winning run were both put aboard in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Fighting Scots a chance for the comeback, but the Lady Knights shut the door to seal the sweep.
Brittany Allen singled to center and Heh singled on a bunt, but they were both left stranded as a Fleckenstein shot was ripped into the awaiting leftfielder's glove.
Kalet Lenart (4-2) took the loss for Edinboro, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in relief.
Amanda Metz got the start in the contest, giving up a pair of runs on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts in 4.1 innings work.
Madi Beining (5-2) threw the complete game for Gannon, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits with six strikeouts.
Allen was 2-for-3 in the contest. Heh went 2-for-4. Johnston was 1-for-3 with her second RBI of the day. Jankowski was just 1-for-3, but made her one count, sending a ball over the fence.
