IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata University softball team returned to action at home on Monday afternoon for an Atlantic East Conference doubleheader vs rival Marywood. Immaculata won game one 6-5, before falling 8-0 in six innings in game two.

Game One – Immaculata 6, Marywood 5

Marywood opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning with a two-run single. Immaculata starting pitcher Emma Mercadante, retired the next three hitters including two strike outs to limit the damage.

Immaculata would even the game in the bottom of the second inning, with Carlee Karcher on first base after a fielder's choice, Allison Hill hit a two-run home run to left field to tie the score at 2-2. This was Hill's first collegiate home run.

In the bottom of the third inning, Kaitlin Carter got on after being hit by a pitch. Jess Oldham followed with a two-run home run to left field to put Immaculata ahead 4-2. Immaculata would add on a run later in the inning when Kristin Carter walked with the bases loaded to score Carlee Karcher to extend Immaculata's lead to 5-2.

Marywood responded in the top of the fifth inning, with a three-run home run to tie the score at 5-5.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Carlee Karcher singled to right center. Steph Kelly pinch ran for Karcher and stole second base. Allison Hill flied out to right field, and Kelly tagged to go to third base. The throw from the right fielder was wild, and the error allowed Kelly to score to put Immaculata up 6-5.

In the top of the sixth, Marywood got a pair of runners on with two outs. Nadia Bhuiyan came on in relief for Immaculata. After allowing an infield single to load the bases, Bhuiyan induced the next Marywood hitter to pop out to second base to end the threat.

Bhuiyan was able to retire the side in the top of the seventh inning to earn her first save of her college career, as Immaculata took game one 6-5.

Emma Mercadante (4-3) earned the win for Immaculata, going 5.2 innings, and striking out four. With her third strike out of the game was Emma Mercadante's 100^th career strikeout.

Game Two- Marywood 8, Immaculata 0

In game two, both teams went scoreless in the first inning of the game.

Marywood opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning on a fielder's choice.

Marywood increased their lead to 2-0 in the third inning on an RBI single to left field, before breaking the game open in the top of the fifth inning scoring four runs to increase their lead to 6-0.

Marywood scored two additional runs in the top of the sixth inning and shut down Immaculata in the bottom of the sixth inning to take game two 8-0.

Up Next

The Immaculata University softball team (9-7, 2-2 Atlantic East) will be back in action on Tuesday, March 26^th when they host Ursinus College at the IU Softball Field for a doubleheader at 3:00 PM.