IMMACULATA, Pa. – Immaculata softball kept both games close against the Ursinus College Bears on Thursday, but the Bears' offense took control late in both to earn the sweep. It was a 6-3 final in eight innings in game one and an 11-4 decision in game two.
The Mighty Macs are 6-8 for the season. They are 0-2 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST URSINUS – GAME 1
- Carlee Karcher got the Mighty Macs on the board in the first inning with an RBI single. In the second inning and the top of the third, both defenses were on display by retiring three batters each. Karcher again came through with an RBI double in the third to increase the lead. With bases loaded in the fourth, the Bears put up a run via a groundout. Immaculata was up 2-1 after four.
- Both sides were quiet until the top of the sixth, where Ursinus tied the game on a double. The Bears placed a runner in scoring position in the seventh, but Immaculata eliminated the threat on a groundout. The Mighty Macs were unable to walk-off the Bears in the bottom of the seventh, forcing an eighth inning. The eighth inning was the deciding factor, though, as Ursinus tallied four runs in the extra inning. Although a Madison Formica sac-bunt scored Naila Valdez in the bottom of the eighth to trim the advantage in half, the Bears ended the game on the next batter. Ursinus took game one 6-3.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS – GAME 1
- Formica led with two runs and tied Karcher with two hits.
- Karcher also had two RBIs.
- Sara Pierson started 3.1 innings on the mound and struck out three batters.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST URSINUS – GAME 2
- The Bears began game two with a two-run home run on the second at-bat. Although they added another run on a bunt not too long after, the Mighty Macs countered with two runs in the bottom of the first. Karcher and Emma Pinto each had RBI singles. Ursinus saw another home run in the third to increase their advantage to two. Immaculata had a runner in scoring position in the third, but the offensive drive came up short. It was 4-2 through three.
- Following a quick top of the fourth defensively, Formica tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-RBI double. The Bears did the same in the fifth to put their lead back to two. Casey Pasco started the sixth inning with a solid at-bat. She won a 12-pitch at-bat and earned a walk. Despite this, the Mighty Macs were retired a few moments later. The Bears added five runs in the seventh to seal the afternoon. The game ended in the top of the seventh due to darkness. Ursinus won game two 11-4 and swept the doubleheader.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS – GAME 2
- Formica, Karcher, Pasco, and Kate Daly all scored a run.
- Five players had one hit each.
- Formica logged two RBIs.
- Pierson again started on the mound. This time, she went 4.1 innings with three strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs continue their homestand on Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. when they host the Marywood University Pacers.