IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata softball team claimed the first game of their home opener doubleheader with Wilkes University on Wednesday afternoon at the Immaculata Softball Field. Immaculata won the opening game 3-2 with Riece Onorato pitching the complete game in the circle before the Mighty Macs fell in extras to the Colonels, 6-5. Splitting victories on the day, Immaculata moves to 6-4 overall this season as Wilkes now sits with a 5-4 record.
 
Game One
Immaculata 3, Wilkes 2

How it Happened

• Onorato took the start in the circle, dealing three strikeouts in the opening frame. 
• She'd retire Wilkes in order in the second inning and surrender just one runner in the third inning.
• Immaculata threatened to score in the second inning with singles from Rylee Martin, Carlee Karcher, and Allison Hill, but Wilkes kept IU off the board with a force out at home and a pair of strikeouts.
• The Mighty Macs brought their first run across the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning. Riece Onorato got on board with a one out single as Kate Daly ran for her. Emma Pinto moved Daly to second before Maddy Formica's single to right scored Daly for the game's opening run. 
• Immaculata used the bottom of the fifth inning to expand their lead. Steph Kelly led off with a walk as Rylee Martin reached on a single. With two on, Allison Hill doubled to right center, allowing both baserunners to score and putting Immaculata ahead 3-0.
• The top of the fifth and sixth innings were quiet for Wilkes as Onorato retired the Colonels in four batters during each.
• Trailing by three runs, Wilkes broke up Riece Onorato's shutout bid in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. Onorato struck out the next batter faced and forced a pair of groundouts to the left side to finish the complete game and earn the winning decision.

Inside the Numbers

• Riece Onorato pitched the full 7 innings, allowing 2 runs, 5 hits, 4 walks, and striking out 4.
• Allison Hill went 2-3 with a double, delivering 2 RBIs to extend the Mighty Macs' lead.
• Rylee Martin went 2-2 with a run and hit by pitch.
• Carlee Karcher had a hit and a run scored.
• Maddy Formica had an RBI single in the 4th inning.

Game Two
Wilkes 6, Immaculata 5

How it Happened

• After two quick putouts, Wilkes jumped to a 1-0 lead with a solo home run. The Colonels then added an unearned run to possess a 2-0 lead from the opening frame.
• Bryele Anthony singled to left center to lead off the bottom of the first. Kate Daly bunted her to second before Jess Oldham's single up the middle scored Anthony as the Macs earned a run back.
• Nadia Bhuiyan pitched a strong second and third inning, retiring the Colonels in order during the latter. She worked out of a fourth inning jam unscathed with a strikeout, a flyout, and a groundout to end the frame. 
• The Mighty Macs tied the score 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Rylee Martin, Naila Valdez, and Lily Hagan all punched singles before Destiny Howard's two out walk scored Martin for the Macs' second run.
• A pair of doubles put Wilkes ahead 3-2 in the top of the fifth. They'd stretch their lead to 5-2 with an RBI groundout and a single to left field.
• Emma Mercadante pitched a clean sixth inning, forcing a pair of flyouts and a popout to the catcher in foul territory.
• Rylee Martin led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run. Emma Mercadante followed with a walk, as Lily Hagan hit a single over the second baseman two batters later. Steph Kelly pinch ran for Hagan at first, stealing second to put runners on second and third base for Maddy Formica. Formica hit a hard hit ball toward third base and beat out an imperfect throw, allowing Emma Mercadante to cross the plate to tie the game 5-5.
• The tie held through the end of the seventh, pushing the game to an extra inning.
• In the top of the eighth, Wilkes scored their ghost runner on a double with no runs charged to Emma Mercadante, who forced a strikeout and a lineout to end the frame.
• With Mercadante on second, Carlee Karcher had a pinch hit single that bumped Mercadante to third. Emily Davis pinch ran for Karcher, promptly swiping second base. The Mighty Macs put the ball in play, but a fielder's choice and a 6-3 groundout kept Immaculata from leveling the score as Wilkes claimed the 6-5 victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Rylee Martin went 2-3 with a homerun and a walk in the game, crossing the plate twice.
• Lily Hagan went 2-3 with a pair of singles.
• Nadia Bhuiyan and Emma Mercadante each threw four innings of work. Bhuiyan struck out three batters as Mercadante had no runs charged to her.  

On Deck

• Immaculata heads to Swarthmore for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader. The Mighty Macs square off against the Garnet at 1pm and 3pm on 3/22.