LORETTO, Pa. (May 14, 2022) – The Mount St. Mary's softball team saw their 2022 campaign come to a close Saturday, as LIU built on their 2-0 lead following resumption of play in the Northeast Conference Elimination Game to earn an 8-3 victory over the Mountaineers.
Amanda Berkley took to the hill as the Mount sought to continue their season. But the Sharks developed a fast rally, getting three of the first four on base. Maya Avila singled home a run for a 3-0 advantage, but Berkley induced two outs to limit the damage.
After the Mount came up short at the dish in the bottom of the fifth, LIU loaded the bases in the sixth with one out. Backs to the wall, Berkley had some help on defense from
Maggie Kane and
Vanessa Martin. Kane scooped up the one out grounder to force a runner at home and Martin made a diving grab to end the frame. But in between those two plays was a bases loaded walk to allow the Sharks to increase the lead to 4-0.
Abigayle Perry singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the sixth, and
Tori Bowles reached on an error to score Perry and stage a two-out rally.
Kassidy Johnson came to the plate representing the tying run as a pinch hitter and worked a lengthy county before LIU enticed a pop up to retire the side.
The Sharks then struck for four runs in the top of the seventh, including a two-run, pinch-hit double from Victoria Zatko. Mount St. Mary's refused to go quiet with their final three outs as
Mariah Godde smacked a two-run shot over the left field wall.
Saint Francis U won the title after defeating LIU in the subsequent championship game. Godde and
Bridgette Gilliano were named members of the All-Tournament Team.
With a final record of 26-22, Mount St. Mary's finishes the season with their best win percentage since the 2006 season. That team finished with a mark of 31-25.
NEC All-Tournament Team
Grace Vesco, SFU (MVP)
Lindsay Ward, SFU
Ashley Wruble, SFU
Katie Hinkle, LIU
Camryn Lyman, LIU
Desiree Smith, LIU
Mariah Godde, MSM
Bridgette Gilliano, MSM
Savannah Thornell, FDU
