YORK, PA– The York College softball squad hosted a double header against Misericordia in their home opener on Thursday afternoon. The Spartans struggled to score as they were limited to one run in the 14 innings of play.
The Cougars won game one 4-0 and completed the sweep with a 5-0 win in the nightcap.
 
Game One:
Records: 4-5; Misericordia 6-5
Runs: York 0; Misericordia 4
Hits: York 5; Misericordia 8
Errors: York 1; Misericordia 0
WP: Alexa McHugh (4-0); LP: Natalie Reitema (3-2)
 
How it Happened:
• The game started out slow for both teams. Reagan Wolford had the first hit for the Spartans and the game with a double to left field in the bottom of the third, but nothing came from it as Cougar starter Alexa McHugh struck out the side.
• Scoring came in the top of the fourth with bases loading off of two hits by Nicole Elliot and Kaitlin Redling. After a walk to load the bases, Gianna Russo scored the first run with a sacrifice fly followed by Emma Griffin sneaking a hit past Spartan shortstop Alyssa Harhigh for the second run of the inning. Elizabeth Kelly flew out to end the inning making it a 2-0 game for the Cougars.
• More scoring came in the top of the fifth as a quick fourth inning brought the Cougars back up to bat. Bridget Dougherty started the inning off with a bunt followed by a Kaitlyn Susser single. Elliot was then hit by pitch, loading the bases with no outs.. Redling drilled a single over the left fielders head to bring in a run followed up by Griffin who put the ball in play extending the lead to 4-0.
• From that point on it would be all McHugh striking out four more through three innings making it a total of nine on the day completing a full game for Misericordia and getting the shutout win. She remains perfect as she improves to 4-0 with the shutout win.
 
Spartans Offensive Leaders:
Emma Keller: 1-for-3, 2B
Daphney Adams: 1-for-2, BB
Taylor Walls: 1-for-3
Amanda Criss: 1-for-2
Reagan Wolford: 1-for-3, 2B
 
Spartan Pitching:
Natalie Rietema 4.0 IP, 5 Hits, 4 Runs, 3 ER, 2 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP
Gretchen Barstad 3.0 IP, 3 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 ER, 2 K, 1 BB
 
Game Two:
Records: 4-6; Misericordia 7-5
Runs: York 1; Misericordia 5
Hits: York 7; Misericordia 5
Errors: York 1; Misericordia 1
WP: Marisa Kelly (2-1) ; LP: Gretchen Barstad (0-2)
 
How It Happened:
• The Cougars wasted no time getting on the board jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first. Alexa McHugh would open it up with a single to third base. Nicole Elliot would advance her with a single of her own followed by a Kaitlin Redling walk making the bases loaded with one out. Gianna Foreman and Russo would walk bringing two runs while Victoria Fama would single to left field scoring three off a Spartan fielding error. Kelly would ground out ending the tough inning for the Spartans. 
• From that point on scoring would go silent from both teams for six innings. It wasn't until the bottom of the seventh where Morgan Sauers walked, Emma Keller and Taylor Coon singled bringing up Alyssa Harhigh who managed to get a walk scoring the first run for York. The rally would end there as Daphney Adams flew out to right field ending the game. The Spartans left eight runners in scoring position with credit to Marisa Kelly pitching a complete game striking out three and allowing seven hits for the Cougars.
• Gretchen Barstad pitched a solid game after the five run first inning not allowing a single hit or run after the first, striking out two in four innings pitched.
 
Spartan Offensive Leaders:
Emma Keller 2-for-4
Alyssa Harhigh 1-for-3, run, 2B, SB
Gretchen Barstad 1-for-2
Morgan Sauers 1-for-2
Taylor Coons 1-for-3
 
Spartan Pitching
Gretchen Barstad: 4.0 IP, 4 hits, 5 runs, 3 ER, 3 K, 3 BB, 1 WP
Amanda Criss: 3.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 4K
 
Spartan Notes
The Cougars have now won three straight in the series as the overall series is deadlocked at five … the meeting is the first in almost a decade as they two squads last met on April 21, 2013 … the Spartans have dropped six of their last seven games … York got shutout for the second time this year and were limited to just one run for the third time this year in game two … York has had at least one double in nine of their ten games for the year … York gave up an unearned run in the opener and surrendered two more in the night cap … York has now allowed 12 unearned runs in their ten games … Spartan pitching tied a season-high with six strikeouts in the second game … York walked a combined nine hitters in the two games.
 
Up Next
The Spartans will be on the road Saturday March 18, at Alvernia for a double header. First pitch in Reading for game one is set for 1:00 pm.