ERIE, Pa. — The Golden Knights softball team split its PSAC West doubleheader with Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon at McConnell Family Stadium, winning game one 7-1 before falling 4-2 in the nightcap.
With the split, Gannon remains in the hunt for the final PSAC Tournament berth entering the final day of the regular season. The Golden Knights can clinch a postseason spot by sweeping Edinboro on Sunday, or by winning one game coupled with a Clarion loss.
THE GAME FACTS
Game One Score: Gannon 7, Slippery Rock 1
Game Two Score: Slippery Rock 4, Gannon 2
Records: Gannon (18-22, 11-15 PSAC West), Slippery Rock (26-16, 19-6 PSAC West)
Location: McConnell Family Stadium – Erie, Pa.
Date: May 2, 2026
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE
The Golden Knights broke through in the second inning with five runs to seize control early.
Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) started the scoring with an RBI double before
Bella Atherton (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) singled to put runners on the corners.
Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) followed with an RBI single, setting the stage for
Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City), who blasted a three-run home run to left field for a 5-0 lead.
Gannon added two more in the third inning when Fox delivered a two-run double, scoring Ryan and
Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) to push the lead to 7-0.
Slippery Rock scored its lone run in the sixth, but
Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area) kept the visitors in check the rest of the way to secure the complete-game victory.
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME ONE
- Fox ties career high: Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City) drove in five runs, tying her career high, and hit her first home run of the season.
- Biles brilliant in circle: Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area) tossed a complete game, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts and earned her seventh win of the season.
- Balanced offense: Gannon totaled nine hits in the win.
- Ryan scores twice: Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) finished with two runs scored and an RBI.
- Spano starts rally: Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) ripped an RBI double during the five-run second inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO
Slippery Rock struck first in the opening inning, but Gannon answered in the second when
Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) doubled and later scored on an RBI single by
Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley).
The Golden Knights took a 2-1 lead in the fifth after
Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) walked and
Kennedy Maynard (San Diego, Cal./University City) entered as a pinch runner.
Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) then laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt, but an overthrow by the Slippery Rock pitcher allowed Maynard to score.
Gannon carried the lead into the seventh inning before the Rock capitalized on miscues and timely hitting, scoring three unearned runs to reclaim the lead at 4-2.
The Golden Knights were unable to answer in the bottom half as Slippery Rock salvaged the split.
THE KNIGHT CAP – GAME TWO
- Clontz stays hot: Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) went 2-for-3 to lead the offense.
- Carroll doubles: Sadie Carroll (North Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover) recorded a double and scored a run.
- Ryan drives in one: Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) had an RBI single.
- Spano strong start: Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy) tossed six solid innings, allowing one earned run before the seventh-inning rally.
- Tight battle: Four of the six total runs came in the final inning.
Up Next
The Golden Knights conclude the regular season Sunday, May 3 at Edinboro. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for noon, with game two to follow.
This story was written using the support of AI.
