(0-1)	Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F Marist  0 0 0  0  0  0  0  0  Mercer 0  0  0  0  3  0  0  3  Box Score	(9-5)
(0-2)	Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F Marist  0 0  0 1  0  -  -  1  Mercer 3  3  0  3  X  -  -  9  Box Score	(12-4)

Game 1:                        Stat Comparison Marist IPFW  Runs 0 3  Hits 4 1  Errors 1 1  Runs Batted In 3 0  Bases on Balls 3 3  Strikeouts 18 1  Put Outs 18 21  Assists 8 1  Left on Base 6 5 Game 1: Pitching IP H R ER BB SO  W - M. Kramer (6-3) 7.0 1 0 0 3 18  L - Lewis (14-10) 5.0 4 3 3 3 0  S - N/A - - - - - -  Game 2:                        Stat Comparison Marist Mercer  Runs 1 9  Hits 3 6  Errors 1 2  Runs Batted In 0 6  Bases on Balls 0 3  Strikeouts 5 15  Put Outs 12 15  Assists 6 5  Left on Base 3 2 Game 2: Pitching IP H R ER BB SO  W - Stevens 5.0 3 1 0 0 5  L - 3.0 6 9 8 3 3  S - N/A - - - - - -

Up Next Who: NC Central When: Sat., March. 1 - 10:00 a.m. Where: Sikes Field (Capacity 300)  Full Schedule

MACON, Ga. – The Marist softball team opened its season today at the Mercer Bear Classic. The Red Foxes kicked off the tournament against Indian University – Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW), in which the team fell 3-0. Marist went on to fall to Mercer 9-1 to cap off the day.

Game One

Marist's first season matchup remained scoreless until the fifth inning, where IPFW scored its only runs of the game. The Red Foxes were unable to answer back to the Mastadons' three runs, claiming a loss for the outing.

Senior Haley Birnbaum (Lido Beach, N.Y.) posted the only hit for the team in the second inning. IPFW walked three and allowed freshman Rebecca Freeman (Robbinsville, N.J.) to reach on an error, but Marist would leave all five on base.

The Red Foxes compiled 18 putouts with eight assists throughout the game. Senior Paige Lewis (Temecula, Calif.) took the loss, pitching five innings before junior Melanie White (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) finished out the matchup. Lewis allowed three earned runs, walking three batters in 19 at bats faced, while White claimed one strikeout in three at bats.

Game Two

The Red Foxes dropped a 9-0 loss in five innings in their second game of the day.

Senior Alyssa Zahka (Lexington, Mass.) put the Red Foxes on the board after reaching on a fielder's choice and scoring on an error. Also for Marist, sophomore Kyrsten Van Natta (Maplewood, N.J), sophomore Nicole Cheek (Simi Valley, Calif.) and freshman Janna Korak (Huntsville, Ala.) compiled three hits for the team.

Starting on the mound for the Red Foxes, freshman Jayne Oberdorf (Greensburg, Pa.) pitched three innings, allowing six hits, eight earned runs, and three strikeouts. Lalli closed out the game, facing four batters and recording one strikeout.

Zahka and Freeman led Marist with four putouts each, as Marist compiled six assists among the team.

The Red Foxes take on NC Central at 10 a.m., in order to decide their ranking for the remainder of the tournament.

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-GoRedFoxes.com-