HACKETTSTOWN (Nj.) – The Delaware Valley University softball team finished a stretch of six games in three days and earned a doubleheader split in non-conference play at Centenary University on Sunday afternoon. The Aggies overcame a five-run deficit in game two to earn a 7-6 win, after dropping the opener, 7-4.
DelVal improved to 10-21 overall while Centenary moved to 7-22.
Carly Mahal and Emily Merrigan combined to get the Aggies on the board in the first inning of game one. Mahal reached on a single and swiped second and third base and Merrigan drove her home with a double to left.
The Cyclones countered in their half of the first with three runs on five hits and one error to take a 3-1 lead. They added to their advantage the next inning with two singles followed by a bases loaded walk to make it a 4-1 game after two.
Trailing 5-1 in the fifth, DelVal loaded the bases with one out and Olivia Monismith delivered a two-run single to plate Adina Brucie and Sierra Ripka. Merrigan came up next and drove in her with her second RBI double of the game to make it a 5-4 game.
Caitlyn Pollock, on in relief, got the shutdown inning in the bottom of the fifth, but the Aggies were held off the board the rest of the way.
Passanant gave the home team the 7-4 lead with a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth. As the three-hole hitter, she finished with a game-high four RBI and three hits and scored a run. The top three batters in the Cyclones lineup combined for eight hits, four RBI, and five runs scored.
Merrigan and Ripka led DelVal with two hits apiece while Monismith drove in two and scored a run. Monismith got the start in the circle and allowed three earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts over two innings. Pollock pitched four frames an allowed two earned runs on four hits.
In game two, Cenetnary opened up a 5-0 lead with a five-run third inning off five hits. Jenna Glinko highlighted the run with a two-run double to left.
The Aggie comeback began with a single from Pollock to start the fifth inning. DelVal loaded the bases with two more singles and Ripka got the team on the board with a sacrifice fly. After another single to load the bases again, Monismith came through again with a double that cleared the bases and made it a 5-4 game. Merrigan came up next and drove home Monismith with a single through the left side to tie the game with one out still in the fifth.
After a fly out, DelVal loaded the bases again as it batted around, but failed to take the lead until the sixth.
Brucie led off the sixth with a triple to left and Ripka followed with a single to put the Aggies on top, 6-5. Ripka stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and came around to score on an error for an insurance run.
The Cyclones threatened in the final inning as Sandro Cosenzo led off with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game, but DelVal held on and retired the side to secure the 7-6 victory.
Brucie, Monismith, Merrigan, and Pollock each had two hits in the game as the Aggies combined for 12 hits as a team. Monismith drove in three RBI and scored once while Ripka drove in two and scored a run. First-year Katherine Beckett earned her third win of the season with one earned run against, 13 hits allowed, and four stirkeouts.
