North Myrtle Beach, SC - The Mount Aloysius Softball team lost its final 2 games on their Spring Break trip on Friday. They lost to Norwich University 2-1 and were defeated by NAIA University of Pikeville 4-0.

Karlie Clark (Yukon, PA/Yough) took the circle for the first game of the day for the Mounties. She scattered 9 hits and allowed 2 earned runs as she went the distance for the Mounties. Clark struck out 5 in the outing, Keeping the Mounties in the game throughout.

Mount Aloysius was only able to muster 4 hits in the game. Two of them came in the 2nd when the Mounties pushed their lone run across the plate. Kayla Hopkins (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan) singled up the middle, and then scored after getting a running start on a full count when Caroline Showalter (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood Antis) hit a fly ball that found the ground in right center for a single. Emily Cochran (Natrona Heights, PA/Highlands) recorded the other two hits for the Mounties, a 1 out single in the 4th, and a 2 out single in the 6th.

The Mountie offense continued to struggle when they took on NAIA Division I opponent University of Pikeville. The Mounties collected three hits while striking out 16 times against the hard throwing Pikeville ace. Tawnya Holben (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel), Abby Reitz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle) and Brianna Benscoter (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg) all collected a single each. 

After starting pitcher Emily Cochran had to be removed from the game in the top of the 1st after being hit by a pitch, Nina Shatzer (St. Thomas, PA/James Buchanan) entered the game and put in a strong effort holding a tough lineup in check for 6 innings. She allowed 4 runs on 8 hits, with 2 of the runs coming in the 6th.

The Mounties finished their spring break trip with an 8-3 record. They are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday March 20th to take on Saint Vincent College at home starting at 3:00 PM