DALLAS, Pa. (April 7, 2023) – Senior Alex Schoellig recorded five RBI and had three hits in game number two as the Stevens Institute of Technology softball team lost two games to Misericordia, 8-1 and 12-11 (F/8), on Friday afternoon in a MAC Freedom doubleheader at Anderson Field.

The Ducks now sit in fifth place in the MAC Freedom standings as they have a 4-4 conference record and a 12-12 overall record. They are even on winning percentage with both sixth place Wilkes and seventh place DeSales. Misericordia sits in second place after the sweep of the Ducks as they are 5-1 in conference play and 15-7 overall. Stevens is now 3-5 all-time against the Cougars.

Along with Schoellig, sophomore Rachael Prescott also delivered in the second game as she had two RBI, recorded one hit, and scored a run. Senior Olivia Warner tallied one hit, an RBI, and scored two runs as well in game number two.

Misericordia got off to a great start in game number one. After getting the Ducks in order in the top half, the Cougars were able to tack on two runs in the bottom half. Nicole Elliot hit a two-run home run to left center to put the home side on top.

The Ducks recorded their first hit in the game courtesy of fifth year Lexi Gregule in the top of the third. She was the first baserunner of the game for the Ducks after hitting a single. Senior Alex Schoellig then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Gregule to second. Sophomore Emma Ruiz then hit an RBI single to score Gregule and cut the deficit in half.

The Cougars regained their two run advantage in the bottom of the third as Gianna Russo hit a leadoff homer to center field. Misericordia added two more runs after that as Emma Griffin and Brianna Burd hit RBI singles.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Cougars were able to tack on another run to extend their lead to five. After a leadoff single, the two Cougar batters were hit by a pitch and they tallied a sacrifice fly to score their sixth run of the game.

The Cougars tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to seven. Both runs came with less than one out in the inning. Stevens would be unable to get a base runner in the top of the seventh as Misericordia would hold on to win 8-1.

First-year Ella Tozduman (6-4) pitched three innings. She gave up six runs on nine hits and struck out three. First-year Ashley Allen also pitched three innings for the Ducks. She gave up two runs on three hits and also struck out three.

Alexa McHugh (7-2) pitched five innings. She gave up one run on two hits in the winning effort. She struck out six Duck batters.

Moving to game number two, neither team was able to generate a run in the first inning due to solid pitching. After blanking the Ducks in the top half of the second, Kaitlin Redling hit a solo home run to give Misericordia a 1-0 lead.

The Ducks quickly responded with a run of their own in the top half of the third. Ruiz reached on an error to start the inning and then with one out, fifth-year Meg Halloran hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Ruiz to second. Warner then reached on a fielder's choice as all the runners were able to advance one base. Sophomore Madison Subbiondo then reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a throwing error by the catcher. Warner advanced to third while Halloran scored an unearned run. E. Ruiz out at home on the fielder's choice.

After two walks to kick off the bottom of the fourth, Nicole Elliot drove a single up the middle that brought the run from second home. Misericordia led 2-1.

Stevens jumped on the Cougars for four runs in the top of the fifth. After two quick outs to start the inning, Halloran singled, stole second, and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. During all that, Warner drew a walk. In the next at bat, Subbiondo singled to center to score Halloran and advance Warner to second. Prescott followed that up by reaching on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Schoellig then delivered a bases clearing double to left center to put the Ducks up 5-2.

The Cougars tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth and added two more in the bottom of the sixth. Brianna Burd hit a two run shot in the sixth to tie things up at 5-5 heading into the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Stevens added two more runs to take a 7-5 lead with only a half inning remaining. Warner hit a single with one out to give them their first base runner of the inning. Tozduman would then pinch run for her. In the following at bat, Subbiondo hit a single to advance Tozduman to second. Prescott then delivered a single which cleared the bases and gave the Ducks the advantage.

Nicole Elliot hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie things up at seven. Misericordia was unable to score any more runs as the game went to extra innings.

Stevens kicked off the top of the eighth by loading the bases. Ruiz reached on a single to start, while junior Jessica Guerrero followed that with a double to put Ruiz on third. Halloran would reach on a fielder's choice after the catcher elected not to throw the ball to first after a lightly hit ball. Warner then hit a single which advanced everyone and scored Ruiz. On the very next pitch, Subbiondo hit a grounder right back to the mound. The pitcher threw the ball to home plate but missed badly. The catcher was able to corral the ball back, but her foot was not on the plate as Guerrero scored. Now with one out, Schoellig hit a two RBI single up the middle to put the Ducks up 11-7. It would remain a four run game heading to the bottom half.

Despite facing a four run deficit, Misericordia never gave up and scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth to steal game two from the Ducks. The team drew five walks from senior Erin Kreis (3-7) who threw over 160 pitches in the contest. Trailing 11-10 with two outs and a full count, Elizabeth Kelly drove a ball into the center that was just out of the grasp of Halloran as two runs scored and the Cougars completed the sweep of the Ducks.

Kreis pitched 7.2 innings. She gave up 12 runs on ten hits. She struck out five batters and walked eight.

Emily Wenner earned the start for Misericordia. She gave up five runs on six hits and struck out one. Jennifer Milisits (1-0) only pitched two-thirds of an inning in the victory.

Up Next: Softball resumes non-conference action when they visit Manhattanville for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 12, in Purchase, N.Y. Game times are set for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Ducks are 1-3 all-time against Manhattanville. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.