Annville, PA (May 2, 2024) - The DeSales University softball team scored four unearned runs in the top of the third inning and held on late in a 4-2 win over Misericordia University in the opening game of the MAC Freedom postseason tournament on Thursday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (27-12) advance to the winner's bracket and will play the winner of the other opening day game between Lebanon Valley College and FDU-Florham at Noon on Friday.

A scoreless game into the top of the third inning saw DSU put two runners on base with no one out.  After a ground out and base running error, the Bulldogs had a runner on third with two outs.  Sophomore Morgan Benner beat out an infield single to shortstop to score the game's first run.

A hit down the third base line from senior Victoria Agnoli and another Cougar error loaded the bases with two outs and junior Tori Kenney hit a single to right centerfield when a diving attempt from the MU centerfielder saw the ball fall out of her glove scoring two more runs and first-year Paige Hromin made it 4-0 with an RBI single to left centerfield.

Junior Rachel Lowry held the Cougars scoreless till the sixth inning when MU got two runs back on three doubles in the inning.

Misericordia loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning but Lowry got a game-ending ground ball to second case to finish off the win.

Lowry scattered 10 hits over seven innings, striking out four to earn her 16th win of the season and record the 100th strikeout of the season.  It is the sixth time in team history a pitcher has recorded 100 strikeouts in a season. She also moves within one win of tying the single-season record for wins in a season.

Benner and Hromin each had two hits and Kenney two RBIs to lead the offense.