Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (3/22/2022) - Gwynedd Mercy University (1-11) held the lead at the start of both games of today's home-opening doubleheader with Ursinus College (7-2). Unfortunately, the Bears rallied late in both contests, winning the first 6-3 with a three-run fifth inning and securing the second 9-6 with eight runs between the fifth (3 runs) and seventh (5) innings. Sophomore pitcher Jocelyn Baumeister (Willow Grove, Pa.) (2-for-3, BB. RBI) and sophomore third baseman Grace Scally (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2-for-3, BB, R) each recorded two hits in the opener. Sophomore left fielder Shylynn Cordero (Allentown, Pa.) matched them with a pair of singles (2-for-4) in game two, but sophomore pitcher Ashley Focht (Harrisburg, Pa.) was the story as she went 4-for-4 with three runs batted in (RBI) while going the distance.

In game one, an Ursinus College error and a two-out walk to Focht set the table for Baumeister. She promptly plated freshman shortstop Carly Maw (Bensalem, Pa.) - who reached on the error - with a single to center field, 1-0. The Bears evened the score with a run in the top of the third inning, 1-1, but the score did not stay tied long with a Maw single to right field and a triple to right center from junior center fielder Emma Carney (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) put the Griffins back in the lead, 2-1. Unfortunately, three hits, a walk, and an error allowed Ursinus College to score three runs in the top of the fifth inning, 4-2. Gwynedd Mercy University got one run back in the bottom of the fifth with pinch-hit at-bat from junior Hannah McLaughlin (Stratford, N.J.), but seventh-inning scores ensured the Bear win.

In game two, Focht, Scally, and Baumeister all knocked in first-inning runs, 3-0. The Bears got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning, 3-1, but fell behind even further after a Cordero single to short drove home freshman pinch runner Ally McDaid (Maple Glen, Pa.), 4-1, and a Focht single to left field scored two more Griffins; 6-1. Ursinus College kept the game interesting with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, 6-4, and traded places with Gwynedd Mercy University with five runs in the top of the seventh inning; 9-6.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues a busy schedule on Thursday, March 24, with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at King's College.