Myrtle Beach, SC - The Mount Aloysius softball team split a pair of games in Myrtle Beach on March 19, highlighted by a historic performance in the circle from Jessica Koptcho (Mountain Top, Pa., Crestwood) in the opener.

In game one, the Mounties (3-7) delivered a dominant 3-0 victory over SUNY Poly behind Koptcho's masterpiece. The senior right-hander tossed her first collegiate complete-game no-hitter, striking out 13 batters while allowing just three walks. She was in complete control from the opening pitch, never allowing SUNY Poly to record a hit and consistently working out of the few jams she faced.

The no-hitter marks a milestone moment in Koptcho's career and further cements her place among the AMCC's top pitchers. She now leads the conference with 33 strikeouts in 32 innings and boasts a 2.84 ERA.

Offensively, the Mounties backed their ace with a steady 10-hit effort. Sophie Smith (Mapleton Depot, Pa., Mount Union) led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, while Alysha Cutri (Imperial, Pa., Bishop Canevin) stayed hot in myrtle, as she recorded two doubles and drove in a pair of runs. Maggie Cypher (Kittanning, Pa., Armstrong) and Aislinn Myers (Sidman, Pa., Forest Hills) each added two hits, helping Mount Aloysius manufacture runs in the first and seventh innings to secure the win.

Game two told a different story, as the Mounties fell 5-3 to Maine-Presque Isle (1-8) despite another strong showing at the plate.

Mount Aloysius collected 11 hits in the contest, with AMCC Preseason Player of the Year Sarah Henninger (DuBois, Pa., DuBois) putting together a standout performance, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, including a triple. Cutri stayed hot with two more hits and an RBI, while Greysyn Gable (Kylertown, Pa., West Branch Area HS) also contributed a pair of hits.

The Mounties struck first with a two-run third inning but were unable to maintain the momentum. Maine-Presque Isle answered with two runs in the fourth before breaking the game open with a three-run seventh inning. Mount Aloysius made things interesting as they managed to push one run across in the bottom half, but the late rally fell short.

Brenna Watts (Thompsontown, Pa., East Juniata) took the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on nine hits while striking out five across a complete game effort.

Despite the split, the day was headlined by Koptcho's historic no-hitter and continued offensive consistency, as the Mounties combined for 21 hits across the two games.

The Mounties wrap up their Spring Break Trip tomorrow with three contests. They'll play Principia (10am), SUNY Poly (12pm) and will look to get revenge vs Maine-Presque Isle at 2pm. 

#GoMounties