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`The Millersville softball team exploded for 21 runs in a doubleheader against Clarion Saturday afternoon. After a difficult stretch against some of the top teams in the PSAC, the Marauders defeated Clarion 15-3 and 6-4. The doubleheader against Kutztown on Friday was postponed until Tuesday and was again postponed until Wednesday.
Sophomore pitcher Courtney Eckman started the first game and senior Emily Flieger finished the game for the Marauders. The two pitchers got plenty of run support. In the second inning, the Marauders’ bats scored 15 runs on 13 hits. In the inning, 14 hitters were able to reach base without an out recorded by a hitter. Freshman Kelly Fitzgerald batted three times in the inning. Junior Lindsay Hosier and sophomore Casey Coker hit two home runs in the inning and combined for seven runs-batted-in.
Eckman picked up her eighth win of the season and Hosier relieved her to finish the game. The Marauders’ offense came alive after struggling against West Chester and East Stroudsburg. Millersville’s recent struggles have not hindered the team’s confidence.
“We’ll be able to come back strong. We know we have the talent and determination to win games. The games against Kutztown and East Stroudsburg were close and we can win those games,” Fleiger said. “ We played really well against Kutztown and our pitchers kept us in the game.”
Millersville started the second game of the double-header with a run from a single by senior Janelle Mrakovich who also started the game. Hosier stole her 14th base of the season, and Mrakovich drove her in. Senior Shaina Briel hit her fourth home run of the season in the third inning to put the Marauders up.
The offense continued to play well in the fourth inning. Senior Trisha Johnson doubled, freshman Ally Homa singled and both scored from singles by Hosier and Briel. Millersville held Clarion scoreless in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Clarion was able to score twice in the last inning to make the final score 6-4 in favor of Millersville.
Mrakovich recorded her second win of the season going five innings and allowing one earned run.
Freshman Brittany Peterson pitched the final two innings for the Marauders.
These two victories provide the Marauders with confidence entering their game Wednesday against Kutztown.
After that game, the team has eight remaining opponents including divisional games against Shippensburg, West Chester and East Stroudsburg.
Janelle Mrakovich said, “It definitely was a confidence and morale boost for all of us. We all showed what we are capable of doing offensively and both wins were a complete team effort. I’m so proud of this team and how far we have come in every aspect of the game.”
Millersville has two away games this week before they return home against Columbia Union College on Monday, April 13.