SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The Gannon softball team dropped both games of a PSAC West doubleheader at Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon, falling 7-2 in game one and 4-1 in game two.
Gannon moves to 14-15 overall and 7-8 in PSAC West play following the twinbill.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE
Gannon struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on an opportunity as
Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) delivered an RBI double to give the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead.
The Golden Knights added to their advantage in the third when
Emily Spears (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) launched a solo home run to left center, extending the lead to 2-0.
Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area) kept Slippery Rock in check through the early innings, but the hosts broke through in the fifth, taking advantage of a miscue to plate a run and cut the deficit in half.
The game turned in the sixth inning, as Slippery Rock erupted for six runs on five hits, including a three-run double and multiple RBI hits to take control at 7-2.
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME ONE
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Early Advantage: Gannon took a 2-0 lead with runs in the second and third innings, highlighted by an RBI double and a solo home run.
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Spears Goes Deep: Emily Spears (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) connected on a solo home run to extend the lead in the third.
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Fox Drives One In: Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) delivered an RBI double to open the scoring in the second inning.
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Sixth-Inning Swing: Slippery Rock plated six runs in the sixth to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 7-2 lead.
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Grimm Off the Bench: Alivia Grimm (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) provided a spark with a pinch-hit double.
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Biles Strong Early: Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area) struck out six across 5.1 innings, allowing just one earned run before the late rally.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO
Slippery Rock jumped out early with a solo home run in the first inning and added another run in the second to take a 2-0 lead.
Gannon answered in the third, as
Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by
Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Rock added insurance in the fifth inning, using a pair of timely hits and a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-1.
Gannon threatened late but was unable to generate the comeback, falling in the nightcap.
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME TWO
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Early Deficit: Slippery Rock scored in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead.
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Smerick Sets It Up: Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) doubled and scored Gannon's lone run of the game.
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Clontz Produces: Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) brought home the run with a sacrifice fly in the third.
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Limited Opportunities: Gannon was held to three hits in the nightcap.
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Fox Adds Extra-Base Hit: Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) recorded a double to lead the offense.
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Spano Goes the Distance: Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) tossed a complete game, allowing four runs over six innings.
UP NEXT
Gannon returns home to host Fairmont State on Tuesday, April 14 inside McConnell Family Stadium.
