GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The Gannon University softball team opened its weekend at  the Glenville State Tournament on Saturday by earning a split in two games at the Sue Morris Complex.

The Golden Knights capped the day by beating West Virginia Wesleyan 8-1 after dropping the opening game 11-2 to host Glenville State.

Gannon improved to 2-4 on the season as it prepares to play two more games on Sunday.

 
Game 2 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan (W, 8-1)

The Basics

• Gannon pitcher Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) turned in a masterful performance, pitching a three-hitter while striking out eight and walking none.
• Lenda finished strong as she retired the final 14 batters she faced. She gave up one unearned run.
• Gannon scored three times in the first inning, with the big hit being a two-run homer by sophomore Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy).
• The Golden Knights added two insurance runs in the fourth inning on a two-run double by freshman catcher Helena Wolbert (Grove City, Pa./Grove City Area).

 
Inside the Numbers

• Spano led Gannon with a two-run homer and  a single.
• Katie Sidare (Rochester, N.Y./Victor Central) also went 2-for-4 with a single and a double.
• Freshman Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while freshman Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) added an RBI single.
• Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly.

 

Game 1 vs. Glenville St. (L, 2-11)

The Basics

• The Pioneers used a seven-run surge in the opening inning to pull away from the Golden Knights.
• Glenville plated four more runs in the fourth to extend its lead 11-1, heading into the fifth.

Inside the Numbers

• Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong), Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic), Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy), Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong), and Katie Sidare (Rochester, N.Y./Victor Central) all added a hit to the Golden Knights' offensive effort.
• Gannon finished the contest with two runs on six hits and stranded eight baserunners.
• Glenville State finished with 11 runs on nine hits and collected nine RBIs.