CHICAGO, ILL. – Day two of the Horizon League Softball Championship was a memorable day for Detroit Mercy. The Titans won their first two games in the tournament since the mid-2000s by taking down both Oakland and Wright State. UIC and Youngstown State, rested from first day byes, took care of business today to set up a match up against one another in the semifinals.
No. 5 Detroit Mercy: 4, No. 6 Oakland: 1
CHICAGO, ILL. – The bats came alive for Detroit Mercy in the bottom of the third inning, scoring all four runs to push past Oakland 4-1 in Game 3 of the championship.
With the help of some aggressive base running, Courtney Gilbert walked into the batter’s box with the bases loaded and produced a single to bring home Elizabeth Yager and Jordan Manno to put the first two runs on the scoreboard. Up next, Savvy Ferstile batted home two more runners after recording her lone hit on the day.
Liz Murphy tossed a complete game for the second straight day, only allowing one run while striking out four batters to pick up her 13th win on the year. With the win, Detroit Mercy notched their first victory in the tournament since 2007.
Even though Oakland came up short on the scoreboard, the Golden Grizzlies out-hit the Titans seven to five in the game. Oakland finishes the season with a 20-26 record with a 13-11 record in league play.
Detroit Mercy will play in Game 6 at 8:30pm ET tonight against Wright State.
BOX SCORE
No. 1 UIC: 2, No. 4 Wright State: 0
CHICAGO, ILL. – UIC’s Allie Trudeau has not given up more than six hits in a single outing the whole year and continued the streak today throwing four innings with three hits allowed in the 2-0 win over Wright State. Elaine Heflin recorded her fifth save of the season which is the most in one season in program history.
Both of Flames’ runs came in the bottom third with Lexi Watts scoring the first run of the game on a wild throw. Jennah Speth tallied her 30th RBI on the season on a base knock to right field to give UIC the 2-0 edge.
UIC now has three pitchers that have recorded at least ten wins on the season with Allie Trudeau joining Karissa Frazier and Elaine Heflin with double-digit wins. UIC will face the winner of Game 5 between Youngstown State and Valparaiso.
Wright State will look to bounce back tonight as the Raiders will square off against Detroit Mercy in an elimination game.
BOX SCORE
No. 2 Youngstown State: 9, No. 3 Valparaiso: 2
CHICAGO, ILL. – Youngstown State scored all nine runs with two outs and defeated Valparaiso 9-2 to advance to the tomorrow’s semifinals.
Valparaiso jumped out to an early lead after Gabby Magnifico hit a two-run home run in the second inning; her second home run of the championship.
The game turned in Youngstown State’s favor in the bottom of the third inning with the Penguins scoring eight runs and forcing Valparaiso to use three different pitchers in the half inning. Maria Lacatena initiated the scoring hitting a single back up the middle to tie the game at two. Back-to-back RBI singles by Sarah Dowd and Maddi Lusk put Youngstown State in front. With the bases loaded the Penguins lead ballooned when consecutive batters were walked to score two more runs. Hannah Lucas chipped in with an RBI single and a Cali Mikovich was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the final run in the frame.
Youngstown State never looked after the third inning with Mikovich bringing home one more run in the fifth inning on a double. Maddi Lusk picked up the complete-game victory only giving up the one home run and struck out four batters in the game.
Youngstown State will square off against No. 1 UIC tomorrow, while Valparaiso will take on Detroit Mercy in an elimination game.
BOX SCORE
No. 5 Detroit Mercy: 6, No. 4 Wright State 2
CHICAGO, ILL. – In a rematch of Game 1 of the championship, Detroit Mercy avenged their extra-inning loss to take down Wright State and move on to semifinal play tomorrow.
It didn’t take long for the Titans to go ahead in the game with Alyssa James doubling into left-center field to produce the first two runs of the game. Though Wright State bounced back with a run in the bottom of the second inning, Detroit Mercy tacked on three more runs in the top of the third to take a commanding 5-1 lead before ultimately winnings 6-1.
Savvy Ferstile knocked in two runs on two hits with a single in the third inning and a double in the fifth inning each batting in one runner. Ellie Boteler recorded an RBI as well in the third inning running out a ground ball to the shortstop. Ashley Mauser threw a complete game for the Titans striking out four batters and only giving up two runs on the night.
In defeat, Wright State was led by the strong play of Alexis Mayle who manufactured both runs for Wright State. The senior drove in a run off a single in the second inning and came back in her next at-bat and hit a solo home run in the fifth inning. Wright State finishes the season with a 21-31 record including a 14-10 record in Horizon League action.
Detroit Mercy’s storybook season continues with the team notching their second victory in the championship. The Titans will look to carry the momentum into tomorrow’s semifinals game against Valparaiso.
BOX SCORE
Friday's Schedule
No. 5 Detroit Mercy vs. No. 3 Valparaiso - 1:00pm ET
No. 2 Youngstown State at No. 1 UIC - 3:30pm ET
Winner, Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8 - 6:00pm ET
