Emmitsburg, Md. (March 30, 2025)--A strong defensive effort coupled with clutch pitching led Mount St. Mary's past Canisius, 4-3, to cap a 17-game homestand for the Mountaineers.
Gina Del Giorno led the offense with three hits as the Mount improves to 7-22 overall and 2-6 in the MAAC.
The Mount took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Del Giorno led off with an infield single, and
Kelsie Bandelow then reached on a fielder's choice on a sacrifice bunt attempt to put runners on first and second with no outs.
Brianna Manni drove home the game's first run with a base hit up the middle. With runners on second and third with two outs,
Tyra Christian came through with a single to left to plate the second run of the game, and the third scampered home when the throw back to the infield went awry.
The Golden Griffins (12-13, 2-1 MAAC), who entered the game with a six-game win streak, struck for single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to get back into the game. Bailey Alatorre's RBI double in the fourth made it 3-1. In the fifth, Rebecca Hai tripled off the top of the right field fence to lead off, and she scored on a Vivi Vargas groundout. Canisius had a chance to add to the lead after a walk and a single put runners on first and second with one out. Ella Johel then popped a ball right behind first base for an infield single, but the Mount was able to throw out Alyssa Cloutier at home when she tried to score from second base on the play.
The Mount answered right back when Del Giorno and Bandelow opened the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back infield hits.
Laurenne Gallagher then ripped a single up the middle to put the Mount ahead, 4-2. Canisius responded in the top of the sixth when Alatorre doubled home Emily Ilano to cut the Mount's lead to 4-3. The Golden Griffins proceeded to load the bases with no outs, forcing the Mount to bring
Ellie Meier on in relief to escape the jam. Meier retired the first batter on a grounder to third with
Lia Festa going home to get the force out. Meier then struck out the next batter, and retired Tabitha von Kolen on a fielder's choice to short to end the threat. Meier set the Golden Griffins down in order in the seventh, striking out Ilano to end the game, to record her first career save.
Amaya Bowman put in a strong starting effort for the Mount, allowing two hits and one run in 3.1 innings.
Sophia Schmehl allowed two runs in 1.2 innings to pick up the win, while Meier pitched two scoreless innings for the save. Del Giorno went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored an a stolen base as the Mountaineers recorded eight base hits in the contest.
Mount St. Mary's has a quick turnaround, heading to Niagara on Tuesday for a MAAC doubleheader.
