WINCHESTER, Va.- The Immaculata softball team rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Marymount 4-2 to advance to the Finals of the Atlantic East Conference Tournament. Rylee Martin, Emma Pinto, and Bryele Anthony all had RBIs in the top of the seventh. With two outs and the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh inning, Immaculata catcher Emma Pinto made a diving catch on a foul ball to record the final out for the Mighty Macs.
 
Immaculata (16-22, 5-5 AEC) moves to 2-0 in the AEC tournament and will face the winner of the Marymount vs Neumann elimination game that is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. in the finals. The winner of the Marymount vs Neumann game will have to beat Immaculata twice to win the championship.
 
How it Happened

• The game remained scoreless through five and half innings.
• Marymount scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth scoring on a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly to center field to take a 2-0 lead.
• Carlee Karcher led off the top of the seventh inning with a double to right field. Rukudzo Taruwinga pinch ran for Karcher. Rylee Martin scored Taruwinga with an RBI double to right center. Natalia Donofrio pinch ran for Martin. After Allison Hill reached base on an error by the second baseman, Emma Pinto singled to right field to score Donofrio to tie the score at 2-2. Kate Daly laid down a bunt and reached base on a throwing error by the third baseman that allowed Allison Hill to score to give Immaculata a 3-2 lead. Bryele Anthony grounded out to second base to score Emma Pinto to make the score 4-2.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Emma Mercadante retired the first two batters on fly balls, before the third batter drew a walk. With the tying run on base, Mercadante got the batter to pop up in foul territory, Immaculata catcher Emma Pinto made a diving catch to record the final out in the 4-2 Immaculata victory.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Emma Mercadante earned the complete game victory allowing four hits, two earned runs, with three strikeouts.
• Bryele Anthony was 1-3 with an RBI and three stolen bases.
• Rylee Martin was 1-3 with an RBI.
• Emma Pinto was 1-2 with an RBI and made the diving catch to record the game's final out.

 
Up Next

• Immaculata will play the winner of the Marymount vs Neumann elimination game. Due to weather delays, the Marymount vs Neumann game will be the final game played at Shenandoah.
• Immaculata will play the winner later this week at either Marymount, or home at Immaculata if Neumann wins. Go to gomightymacs.com for the most updated information.

Atlantic East Conference Softball Tournament Central