 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Sports Information")
The Scots have clinched their third PSAC playoff appearance in four years, behind clutch hitting by the one through nine batters and the powerful arm of junior pitcher Beth Mullins. Edinboro (7-7, 19-14) dropped both ends of a doubleheader to local rival Mercyhurst (9-7, 23-17) Saturday, losing 8-5 and 6-5.
In game one the Scots were down four runs through four innings and needed a rally just to make the game interesting. Edinboro would score all five of its runs in the fifth.
Even with occasional snow showers, sophomore shortstop Brittney Price stepped to the plate with her sleeves rolled up. The change of dress possibly sparked a rally that temporarily put Edinboro in the lead.
“I was warm,” said Price. “It just felt more comfortable.”
Price began the fifth by drawing a four-pitch walk. Left fielder Caitie Weber followed by reaching on an error, and second baseman Jessica VanDamia drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman third baseman Stephanie Cassidy capitalized on the chance by drilling a two-run double.
First baseman Ashley Black continued the charge when she knocked pitcher Amanda Norman out of the game with a two-run double of her own. The Scots took the lead when Black came around to score on a past ball making it 5-4.
Mercyhurst answered in the bottom of the fifth when Jen Bower hit her second home run of the game, completely out of the park to tie it at five.
“Man, can they hit,” head coach Dan Gierlak said.
The Lakers put three more on the board in the bottom of the sixth, and pitcher Kristi Janoske shut down the Scots over the final two innings to win the game. Mullins gave up four home runs in the game.
“She (Mullins) was tired but she's still our best,” Gierlak said. “The main problem is we have to stop spotting people runs with mental mistakes.”
Edinboro spotted Mercyhurst three early runs in game two. The Scots got on the board in the third when sophomore catcher Aimee Sisson drove in left fielder Alex Gierlak with a single. Sisson was the PSAC West player of the week last week and has been a lightning rod in the lineup all season.
Mercyhurst used a walk and three singles to drive in three and knock Mullins out of the game. Amanda Shields came on in relief and finished the game, allowing only one base runner in two-plus innings.
The Scots would rally once again in the fifth. Sisson walked with two outs and Black drove in her fourth RBI of the day with a “no doubt about it” home run. Freshman shortstop T'anna Abt singled, and designated hitter Jade Thrower broke out of her slump with the second Edinboro home run of the inning, to make it 5-6.
That was as close as Edinboro would get. Megan Hopton pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Lakers to secure the win.
“They've [Mercyhurst] got some very good pitching,” said coach Gierlak. “But, we're still in the playoffs.”
Edinboro will face off in a first round matchup against Kutztown (12-4, 37-14) Friday at Bloomsburg University. The Scots need a good showing in the PSAC playoffs to have a shot at being selected for the NCAA tournament.
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