Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3
North Myrtle Beach, SC - The Mount Aloysius Softball team played three thrilling games at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Training Event on Wednesday, winning two of them. After falling in game one to Eastern Mennonite by a final score of 4-3, the Mounties responded with a 9-7 victory over Brevard College and a 5-4 walkoff win against Methodist University. 

In the first game of the day, Mount Aloysius took on Eastern Mennonite, who had not yet lost on their own spring break trip. EMU jumped out in front of the Mounties early, scoring three runs in the first two frames off of Kara Pisczek. The Mounties started to comeback in the 3rd inning, stringing three hits together to load the bases before recording an out. After a fielders choice at home plate, Kayla Hopkins grounded a ball up the middle that squeezed through the infield. Leanne Cardoso-Bastos scored on the hit, and Courtney Link scored after the EMU center fielder bobbled the ball in the outfield. The score remained 3-2 into the bottom of the 6th inning when the Mounties were able to scratch across the tying run on a walk, single and a throwing error after a Riley Keefer sacrifice bunt attempt.

After Pisczek struck out the leadoff hitter in the top of the 7th, the Mounties were unable to catch a short pop-up between the pitcher, first and second basemen, dropping in for a single. The next batter drove a ball deep into left field, scoring the go ahead run. Morgan Rackish came in to close the 7th, striking out both batters she faced. In the bottom of the 7th the Mounties were unable to bring in the tying run as they were retired in order.

Pisczek took her second hard luck loss of the season, finishing with 6 and 1/3 innings pitched, allowing three earned runs off 10 hits, while striking out six Royals. Offensively the Mounties collected eight hits, with Cardoso-Bastos the only player to record more than one.

Game two saw Hannah Ruby take the circle against Brevard College. Mount Aloysius was able to score first, scratching across one run in their opening at-bat. Hopkins singled with two down to start the rally. Ruby helped her own cause by doubling to right field, and catcher Caroline Showalter drove in the first run of the game with a line drive into centerfield. Brevard was able to tally the next three runs of the game off of Ruby, eventually knocking her out of the game after three innings pitched. 

The Mounties stranded runners in scoring position in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but broke through in a big way in the 4th. Keefer singled to start the inning and the Mounties didn't look back. They would bat around in the inning, collecting seven hits, three walks and reached on one error. When the dust cleared, the Mounties had plated seven runs, with five different batters knocking in runs. Emily Wawroski, who had entered in the top of the 4th, was unable to hold down the hard hitting Brevard line up, allowing them to score four runs, cutting the Mountie lead to 1. Rackish came in with two outs in the 5th for her second relief appearance for the day, and promptly struck out the first batter she faced to get her team back to the dugout.

The Mounties were able to get Rackish a little breathing room in the 5th as Hopkins drilled a double to deep left to score Kate Little. Rackish took over from there, retiring 6 of the last seven batters she faced to record the save, and preserve the Mounties 9-7 victory. One of those outs was a highlight reel play. With two outs and a runner in scoring position, the Brevard second basemen drilled a ball towards the right center gap. Courtney Link raced to her left and made a full extension diving catch over her shoulder to end the inning.

Offensively, all but one Mountie starter was able to record a hit as they were able to pound out 16 base knocks. They were led by freshmen Kayla Hopkins and Abby Reitz who recorded four and three hits respectively.

The night cap of the Mounties tripleheader saw Mount Aloysius take on Methodist University, starting Nina Shatzer at pitcher. Shatzer kept Methodist quiet for the majority of the game while her team built up a 4-1 lead by the 6th inning. Mount Aloysius built that lead on strong offensive performances by Reitz and Link. Reitz went 3-for-3 in the game, scoring two of the Mounties runs. Link knocked in two runs on two extra base hits as she hit an RBI double in the 2nd and an RBI triple in the 4th. 

In the 6th inning, the Mounties gave up three unearned runs to Methodist, allowing them to tie the game at 4-4 heading into the bottom of the 7th. In the 7th, Keefer drew a one out walk, then stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Hopkins then popped up to second base, but the Monarchs were unable to make the play, allowing Keefer to score the winning run in walkoff fashion.

Shatzer threw a complete game for the Mounties, earning her second win, while maintaining her perfect ERA through four appearances. 

The Mounties now sit at 6-4 on the year and will finish their spring break trip tomorrow with two final games at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex. They will play Penn State Fayette at 3:30 and wrap up with against Wilkes University at 5:30.