May 2, 2008

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - The Mercyhurst softball team, seeded No. 7, lost its opening game of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Softball Tournament, dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 2 seed Ferris State Friday. The Lakers' second game of the double-elimination tournament was suspended in the third inning as rain washed out the remainder of the day. Mercyhurst trailed Northwood 4-1 when play was stopped.

In the opening game, Ferris State scored three runs in the second off of Mercyhurst starter Carrina Crow and Bulldog pitcher Holly Bruntjens made it hold up. Crow had allowed just one earned run in her past 27 innings entering the contest.

Amanda Jager opened the third inning with a walk but Crow struck out two consecutive hitters. Bruntjens followed with a single and Rachel Wade drove in the first run of the game with a single. Rachel Mueller then doubled to left field to score two more runs and make it 3-0 Ferris State.

Mercyhurst got one back in the third as Erin Ratajczak singled, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Kara Gorgos' fielder's choice plated Ratajczak to make it 3-1, but Bruntjens held the Lakers to just five hits over seven innings and never gave Mercyhurst an opportunity to get back in the game.

Crow gave up eight hits and three walks but struck out eight over six innings for the Lakers. Elizabeth Maier and Ratacjzak had two hits each for Mercyhurst, now 24-29 on the season.

In game two, Northwood scored four runs in the bottom of the first but Mercyhurst battled back with an RBI double from Danielle Zubek in the second before rain postponed play in the bottom of the third after Northwood's leadoff batter reached on a walk.

Play will continue at 9 a.m. Saturday.