PLEASANTVILLE,N.Y. - On Tuesday, Pace University Softball split a doubleheader against Mercy University at the Pace Softball Field. The Blue and Gold used a big inning to claim a 5–3 victory in the opener before falling 11–2 in the second game, moving to 13–15 overall while remaining 5–9 in NE10 play.
Game One
Mercy broke through first with a solo home run in the third inning, but the Blue and Gold answered quickly to take control. After scoring once in the second, the Setters erupted for four runs in the third inning to build a 5–1 advantage.
Madison Picerno delivered a two-run single to spark the rally, while
Willa Poplawski and
Ava Edmond each added RBI hits to extend the lead. The inning proved to be the difference, as Pace capitalized on timely hitting and a Mercy error to create separation.
Mercy chipped away with runs in the fourth and seventh innings to cut the deficit to 5–3. The Mavericks brought the tying run to the plate late, but
Nikki Chandler closed the door with three innings of relief to secure the win.
Alyssa Smart earned the victory after allowing two runs across four innings, while Chandler recorded the save. Poplawski led the offense with two hits, while Picerno and Edmond each drove in a run as the Setters made the most of their seven hits.
Game Two (6 innings)
The second game remained tight early, with Mercy taking a 1–0 lead in the second inning. Pace threatened in the middle innings and broke through in the fifth, as
Riley Jenkins delivered a two-run double to give the Blue and Gold a 2–1 advantage.
Mercy responded in the fourth inning with a six-run outburst to take control of the game, capitalizing on timely hitting and defensive miscues. The Mavericks added four more runs in the sixth to extend the lead and pull away.
The Setters generated seven hits in the contest, including doubles from Jenkins,
Ava Edmond, and
Mikayla Hughes, but were unable to string together enough offense to respond. Pace remained within reach early but could not overcome the late surge from Mercy.
The Setters return to action tomorrow as NE10 play against American International College with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
