North Myrtle Beach, SC - The Mount Aloysius Softball team continued their hot hitting on their third day of play in North Myrtle Beach as the team won three games on the day.

After a delay prior to the start of their first game against Dean College, the Mounties offense started up right away. Courtney Link (Ebensburg, PA/Bishop Carroll) doubled to deep center field to lead off the game, and advanced to third on a bunt single from Samantha Smith (Trafford, PA/Penn Trafford). Then, with runners on the corners, Lydia DeFazio (Harrison City, PA/Penn Trafford) hit a deep line drive over the high left field wall for her first home run of the year. The Mounties tacked on two more runs in their second at bat, with DeFazio knocking in the first on a single to left, and the second scoring on a wild pitch. 

The Mounties continued to roll on offense in the third frame. They scored 6 runs on 4 hits and 4 Dean errors. Brianna Benscoter (Bloomsburg, Pa/Bloomsburg) and Smith each recorded RBI doubles in the inning, while Kate Little (Ashevillle, PA/Penn Cambria) and Kara Pisczek (Johnstown, PA/Conemaugh Township) also knocked in runs with RBI singles. The final three Mountie runs came in the 4th inning. Karlie Clark (Yukon, Pa/Yough) hit a double to center that scored 2 and Kayla Hopkins (Canonsburg, Pa/Canon McMillan) drove in the final run with a single.

Nina Shatzer (St. Thomas, PA/James Buchanan) started the game in the circle for the Mounties and overpowered the Bulldog offense. In 4 innings of work, Shatzer allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out 5. Stevi Confer (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) pitched the final inning to complete the shutout for the Mounties. Smith and Benscoter both had perfect performances as Smith went 4 for 4 and Benscoter finished 3 for 3. DeFazio went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, 4 batted in and the lone home run.

The second game of the day saw Mount Aloysius take on the Keystone Giants.

The Mounties were again able to score in their first at bat, as they loaded the bases with two hits and a walk, and received a sacrifice fly from catcher Tawnya Holben (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel). The Mounties were unable to score in an inning for the first time of the day in the second, but responded in their next at bat. They sent all 9 batters to the plate in the third and scored 5 runs. Holben, Emily Cochran (Natrona Heights, PA/Highlands) and Abby Reitz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim) all hit run scoring singles, and Benscoter capped off the rally with a two out double to center field.

The Mounties were able to end the game early after Benscoter knocked in another in th3 5th with a sacrifice fly and DeFazio ended the game with a double down the right field line in the 6th. Along with the strong offensive performance, the Mounties received another strong pitching performance from Cochran. She picked up her second win of the year in a 5 hit 4 strike out shutout.

Smith went 3 for 4 in the game, while Cochran, Little and Reitz all put in multiple hit performances. 

The final game of the day was the first contest since their opening day that saw the Mounties play all 7 innings against Iowa Wesleyan.

Mount Aloysius jumped ahead again, scoring one in the first and 4 more in the second. After scoring one on an error in the first inning, Reitz singled to lead off the second and came around to score on a wild pitch and a passed ball. Pisczek, DeFazio and Holben all knocked in runs for the Mounties, to build another 5 run lead. 

Karlie Clark took the circle for the Mounties and saw early success, blanking the Tigers for the first 4 innings. Iowa Wesleyan was able to score 2 runs in the 4th, coming after a fielding error from the Mounties. After the Mounties moved the lead to 4 in the following at bat, The Tigers pushed one more run across as a relay throw rolled into the home dugout to score the third run off Clark. Clark was replaced by Cochran after the play. She scattered 6 hits over 4 innings and allowed 1 earned run and 2 unearned runs. Cochran was able to come in and shut the door for the Mounties, picking up her first save of the season after keeping the Tigers scoreless for the final 3 innings.

Pisczek and Leanne Cardoso-Bastos (Hillside, NJ/David Brearly) were the offensive stars of the game. Pisczek finished 2 for 3 while also drawing 2 walks. She scored 2 runs and knocked in one more. Cardoso-Bastos finished 3 for 4.

The three wins moves the Mounties record to 6-1 this year. They will have a well deserved day off Wednesday, and return to action on Thursday. They will take on Centenary University at 11:30 and Morrisville State at 3:30.