May 4, 2007

Box Score

Midland, Mich. - Senior Kim Griffin hit a solo homer in the top of the seventh inning as the Mercyhurst softball team kept its GLIAC Conference Tournament hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Ashland Friday. The Lakers needed the victory after losing to Ferris State 1-0 in their opening game of the double-elimination tournament.

Pitcher Jen Feret threw an outstanding game, scattering three hits hours after giving up just four hits in a complete game loss to Ferris State. She wriggled out of a fourth inning jam in which Ashland had a runner on third with one out and also got out of a sticky sixth inning in which the Eagles' Jill Allerding doubled to lead off the frame.

Mercyhurst never really threatened until the fifth when Danielle Zubek took a two-out walk, followed by an Erin Ratajczak single. But Ashland got Anne Styn to ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, the Lakers finally broke the scoreless tie as Griffin hit a one-out homer to centerfield to put Mercyhurst on the scoreboard for the first time. Feret came on in the bottom of the seventh to get a pop out to third and a pair of strikeouts to finish the game.

In all, Feret improved to 12-10 on the year by striking out 10 batters, allowing three hits and two walks. Ashland pitcher Jamie Williams was the tough-luck loser, giving up three hits and two walks, while striking out four batters, over seven innings.

Now 23-22 on the year, Mercyhurst will play at 10 a.m. Saturday against either Wayne State or Grand Valley State. With a win, the Lakers would then play at noon and possibly at 2 p.m. for the right to advance to the GLIAC Tournament Championship game Sunday.