Focht Famed as AEC Softball Pitcher of the Week
Lancaster, Pa. – (3/19/2024) – Holding the Notre Dame of Maryland University to just one run on seven hits and a pair of walks in a 3-1 victory at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, Gwynedd Mercy University senior pitcher/infielder
Ashley Focht (Harrisburg, Pa.) was named the
Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Softball Pitcher of the Week. Marymount University senior first baseman/third baseman Kaylynn Johnson (Alexandria, Va.) was named the AEC Softball Player of the Week, while Marywood University sophomore pitcher/shortstop Marissa Gregory (Lake Beach, Pa.), Immaculata University first baseman/catcher Rylee Martin (Dillsburg, Pa.), and Centenary University (NJ) junior pitcher/infielder Jaelynn Miller (Oxford, N.J.) were recognized on the Weekly Honor Roll.
Gwynedd Mercy University (3-7) faced the Notre Dame of Maryland University (2-3) in their first scheduled contest for Thursday, March 14, and improved their early-season record to 3-5 with a 3-1 win over the Gators. Focht worked her way through seven walks and a pair of walks to record a complete game and her first win (1-1) of the season. In the bottom of the third inning, sophomore shortstop
Hannah Smith (Levittown, Pa.) started a two-out rally with a single to the shortstop. The next batter, freshman middle infielder
Avery Schwartz (Collegeville, Pa.) singled to center left center and an error from the left fielder allowed Smith to score tying the score; 1-1. Two innings later, singles from senior center fielder
Shylynn Cordero (Allentown, Pa.) and senior third baseman
Grace Scally (Philadelphia, Pa.) put the former in scoring position. Smith’s double to left field made it 2-1 and a Schwartz sacrifice fly plated the final run; 3-1. Focht batted in six if the Griffins’ nine contests during the week and went 1-for-11 with a second-inning single during her win over the Gators.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to action on Wednesday, March 20, when they officially open Frank O. Genuardi Legends Softball Field with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader versus Cairn University.
