GALLOWAY, N.J. (April 16, 2015) – Stevens Institute of Technology head softball coach Erica Mehalick recorded her 100^th career win Thursday in the Ducks 2-1 win over Richard Stockton College.
 
The win came on the heels of a 3-0 victory in game one as Stevens' record rose to 17-6-1. The losses dropped Stockton fell to 14-11
 
Stevens 3, Stockton 0
 
Both teams found themselves in a pitching duel early as senior hurler Kayla Berardi posted zeroes through the first four innings, allowing just one runner into scoring position in the process. Stockton matched the senior's output with zeroes of its own before the Ducks finally broke through in the fifth.
 
Three straight singles to start the inning loaded the bases for the Ducks, and after a fielder's choice eliminated the runner at third, junior Gavriella Risman-Jones picked-up her team with a single to left to plate one.
 
Berardi retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth allowing the Ducks to add some insurance in the seventh off Risman-Jones' RBI single. A throwing error from the pitcher brought the Stevens lead to 3-0, which was more than enough for Berardi who struck out the final two batters to clinch the win.
Risman-Jones led the Ducks offensively with two hits and two RBIs while Berardi picked-up her team leading 10^th win of the season. The defending Empire 8 Conference pitcher of the year has now allowed just two earned runs in her last 34 innings.
Stevens 2, Stockton 1
 
Stockton struck first with a run in the first, but freshman pitcher Olivia Gemma escaped further trouble by retiring three batters in a row to wiggle out of a bases loaded, nobody out situation.
 
The Ducks tried to rally by putting runners in scoring position in the third and fourth, however strong Stockton pitching kept Stevens off the board. Gemma kept the Ducks in the game by working out of a first and third, no-one situation in the fifth before including a double play in the sixth.
 
Needing a rally, Gemma led off the seventh by reaching on an error where freshman Lauren Shirley batted her in by belting her first career home run.
 
Stockton put its leadoff batter on in its half of the seventh, but Gemma worked around it with three straight outs to seal the win.
 
The victory was Gemma's sixth of the season.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Ducks will return to Weehawken Waterfront Park tomorrow for an E8 doubleheader against Houghton College starting at 3 p.m.
 
Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks