Alfred, NY - Mountie softball delivered a much-needed statement on Sunday, sweeping the Alfred State Pioneers on the road to keep themselves right in the thick of the AMCC playoff race. Behind timely hitting, explosive offensive innings, and a milestone performance from Jessica Koptcho (Mountain Top, Pa., Crestwood), who surpassed 300 career strikeouts in game one, the Mounties put together one of their most complete doubleheader efforts of the season.

Game One: Mounties Ride Myers, Koptcho to 9-1 Victory

The Mounties opened Sunday's doubleheader in dominant fashion, rolling past Alfred State 9-1 behind a balanced offensive attack and a milestone performance in the circle from Jessica Koptcho.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Mounties wasted little time responding. Aislinn Myers (Sidman, Pa., Forest Hills) put Mount Aloysius in front for good in the second inning, blasting a two-run home run to center field to give the Mounties a 2-1 lead. It was the first long ball of Myers' collegiate career.

The offense continued to build momentum in the middle innings. Myers struck again in the fourth with an RBI single before Taylor Doyle (Blanchard, Pa., Central Mountain) delivered a key two-run double to extend the lead to 5-1. Doyle stayed hot later in the game, ripping an RBI triple in the sixth, while Hanna Stedman (Washington, Pa., Trinity) followed with an RBI single to push the advantage to 7-1.

The Mounties added insurance in the seventh inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Maggie Cypher (Kittanning, Pa., Armstrong) and another RBI knock from Myers, who finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs scored.

In the circle, Koptcho was in control throughout, tossing five strong innings while allowing just one run on three hits and striking out five. The outing marked a significant milestone, as she eclipsed 300 career strikeouts, becoming just the second pitcher in program history to reach the mark, trailing only Kelsey Ickes (513). Brenna Watts (Thompsontown, Pa., East Juniata) closed out the final two innings to secure the win.

Game Two: Early Explosion Lifts Mounties to Sweep

The Mounties completed the sweep in emphatic fashion in game two, erupting early and never looking back in an 11-3 victory over Alfred State in six innings. 

MAC set the tone immediately, plating four runs in the opening inning. Alysha Cutri (Imperial, Pa., Bishop Canevin) got things started with an RBI single before Myers delivered the big blow once again, driving in three runs with a double to give Mount Aloysius a commanding early lead.

After Alfred State answered with two runs in the bottom half of the first, the Mounties quickly responded with another three-run frame in the second. Greysyn Gable (Kylertown, Pa., West Branch Area HS) came through with a two-run single, while Cutri added another RBI as Mount Aloysius stretched its lead to 7-2.

The offense remained aggressive throughout the game. Myers added a sacrifice fly in the fifth, and the Mounties capped their scoring in the sixth inning behind a two-run double from Cutri and an RBI double from Gable.

Cutri and Gable led the way offensively with four and three RBIs, respectively, while Myers contributed four RBIs of her own across the two games to pace the Mounties' attack.

Koptcho earned her second win of the day in the circle, going five innings and allowing just three runs (0 earned) while working around defensive miscues. Watts again provided a clean inning of relief to seal the victory.

With the sweep, Mount Aloysius picks up a much-needed pair of AMCC wins and moves to 7-17 (3-5, AMCC) on the season. Softball is back at home in their next contest when they host Pitt-Greensburg (9-15, 4-4, AMCC) on Tuesday for a doubleheader at 1:00 and 3:00 PM at the Softball Field.

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