GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Gannon softball team blasted three home runs on the way to an 11-1 victory against Seton Hill in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the SHU Softball Complex.
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The Griffins bounced back to win the second game 5-0 as the teams split the PSAC West twin bill.
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Gannon moved to 8-8 overall and 3-3 in the PSAC West, while Seton Hill is now 18-8 and 6-2.
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Here's a look at the two games:
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Game 1:
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Hours after registering an 8-0, five-inning win over in Game 2 of a home doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown, the Gannon players continued their offensive onslaught in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader.
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GU's
Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) started the scoring with a two-run homer to left field in the first inning.
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Gannon hit two more long balls in the fourth inning as the Knights struck for six runs in the frame. Â After
Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) extended the lead to 3-1 with an RBI single, freshman catcher
Bella Atherton (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) launched a three-run homer to make it 6-1. Three batters later, freshman
Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) belted a two-run homer to left field, and Gannon was in control with an 8-1 lead.
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In the sixth inning, Smerick added an RBI groundout,
Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) ripped an RBI double down the left-field line, and
Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) singled home Ryan to give Gannon an 11-1 lead. GU claimed the mercy-rule win after the sixth inning.
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Offensively, Atherton and Smerick led Gannon with three RBIs each.
Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) had three hits and two runs scored, while Clontz, Vasi, and
Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) each had two of GU's 14 hits.
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Gannon pitcher
Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) continued her strong pitching effort. After gaining the shutout victory in Game 2 on Thursday, Lenda limited Seton Hill to one run on six hits in six innings. She struck out seven and walked one while improving to 4-2. Her earned-run average continued its steady descent since the third game of the season as Lenda's season ERA dipped to 3.88.
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Maggie Lenda pitches on Thursday. (Bryce Dolak)
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Game 2:
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Gannon could not keep the offensive surge going against Seton Hill pitcher Logan Hartman in the second game. She improved to 10-3 by throwing a five-hitter while getting 11 strikeouts and walking none.
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Gannon managed a single hit from five players – Smerick,
Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford), Clontz, Vasi, and
Abbey Girman (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette).
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The Griffins' three-run second inning was all it needed with Hartman in the pitching circle. Nina Grandey finished with three hits for SHU, and Kassidy Wittig and Abby Smearman each added two.
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Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East) (0-2) pitched the complete game and took the loss for Gannon.
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What's ahead:
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Gannon's scheduled doubleheader against Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday has been postponed because of a forecast of rain.