EDINBORO, Pa. - Mother Nature finally permitted the Edinboro softball team to play at home for the first time this season, but the Fighting Scots fell to Gannon in a PSAC West doubleheader, 12-3 in the first game and 11-3 (5) game two. Edinboro's home opener was originally scheduled for March 30 against Seton Hill.
The Fighting Scots fall to 4-13 overall and 0-4 in the PSAC West, while the Lady Knights improved to 18-9 on the year with an 8-2 mark in conference play.
Edinboro returns to action tomorrow against Seton Hill. With the hopes of beating the rain tomorrow, game one of Saturday's doubleheader against the Griffins is now slated for a 11 a.m. start.
Game 1: Gannon 12, Edinboro 3
Edinboro jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over Gannon in the bottom of the second inning. Jessica Little hit an RBI single through the right side, driving Roni Lipinski home for the run on the day.
After a scoreless third, the Lady Knights pushed across three runs in the top of the fourth and four scores in the fifth inning for a 7-1 advantage.
The Fighting Scots would cut the deficit to 7-3 in the bottom of the fourth. Danna Heh scored on a wild pitch and Shannon Gilbert reached home safely, as Victoria Allocco walked to first with bases already loaded.
However, that's as close as Edinboro came the rest of the way. Gannon would score five more runs in the seventh.
Shannon Gilbert was the lone Fighting Scot with multiple hits, connecting on 2-of-3 at-bats.
Taylor Wilp led the Lady Knights with three runs, going 3-for-5 at the plate. Sarah Ingerick helped push five of Gannon's 12 runs.
Carley Nasca took the loss for Edinboro, falling to 2-5 on the year. After taking a no-hitter into the top of the fourth, she allowed three runs off four hits, while walking and striking out six Lady Knights in 4.0 innings pitched. Amanda Metz relieved Nasca for the final 3.0 innings. She struck out four batters.
Kennedy DeMatteis captured the victory for Gannon, improving to 6-5 on the campaign. DeMatteis, who relieved Madi Beining who left due to injury after 0.1 innings pitched, allowed three runs off four hits, walked five Scots and struck out six.
Game 2: Gannon 11, Edinboro 3 (5)
Jackie Martinez and Rachel Tanilli each scored in the top of the first inning for a 2-0 Gannon lead. But Edinboro trimmed the lead in half in the bottom of first, as Olivia Jankowski's double to center field drove Danna Heh home.
The Lady Knights would push across nine runs over the next three innings. They scored four runs in the second, two in the third and three in the fourth.
Shannon Gilbert and Jankowski each tallied a run in the bottom of the fifth. Gilbert scored on Jankowski's third double of the contest. Courtney Allen drove Jankowski home on the next at-bat with a double to center field.
Edinboro had 10 hits in game two. Jankowski went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Victoria Allocco connected on 2-of-3 of her at-bats.
Kerri Stevens falls to 1-4 this season for Edinboro. The senior pitched 3.2 innings, allowing nine runs off nine hits. Carley Nasca relieved Stevens early in the contest, before Stevens came back in later. She gave up two runs and had two strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched. Kellyn Perich went the distance for Gannon to remain undefeated on the year at 4-0. She gave up 10 hits, while striking out two and walking one.
