Buffalo, N.Y. (May 11, 2023)--Marist rallied for a 4-2 victory in the winner's bracket matchup in the opening game of the day. The Mount's
Vanessa Martin belted a two-run homer for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, but the Red Foxes responded with a pair of runs in each of the next two innings to earn the win.
The game was a pitcher's duel early with the Mount's
Avery Neuhart and Marist's Kiley Myers keeping the game scoreless through the first four innings. Neuhart retired the first 10 batters she faced before a Sam Freeland base hit with one out in the top of the fourth broke the streak. Neuhart retired the next two batters and pitched around a leadoff double in the fifth to keep the game at 0-0.
The Mountaineers got their first hit of the game, a one-out double from
Elizabeth King in the bottom of the third inning. Myers, however, was able to keep the Mount bats at bay through the first four innings, tallying eight of her nine strikeouts over that span.
The Mount (32-18) broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Mariah Godde led off with a base hit, and after a strikeout, Martin drilled the first pitch of her at bat over the center field fence to give the Mount a 2-0 lead. Martin, who leads the Mount with 25 RBI, has recorded two of her four home runs against Marist.
The Red Foxes countered with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to even the score. Isabella Manory led off with a double, but a groundout and a strikeout had the Mount one out away from escaping the jam. Maddie Pleasants, however, singled home Manory to make it a 2-1 game, and Haley Ahr then doubled to plate pinch runner Kaitlyn Husic with the tying run.
In the top of the seventh, pinch hitter Maddie Gore singled with one out and then moved to second on a passed ball. Hannah Brock followed with a two-run blast to right to give Marist a 4-2 lead. Calista Phippen came on in the bottom of the seventh and retired the Mount in order to earn the save.
Neuhart pitched a complete game for the Mount, allowing four runs and seven hits while striking out three and walking none to fall to 12-5 on the year.
The Mount will face Iona at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon in an elimination game.
