The Stevenson University softball team wrapped up a busy week of action with back-to-back doubleheaders, earning splits against cross-county rival McDaniel on Wednesday and MAC Commonwealth foe Alvernia on Sunday’s Senior Day.
Wednesday Doubleheader vs. McDaniel
In the first game, the Mustangs (18-6) leaned on a dominant pitching performance from Angelica Gurevich to shut out McDaniel 2-0.
All the offense Stevenson needed came in the third inning, when Mykaela Getz drove in Caylee Cliett with a single up the middle, and McKenzie Tobler came home on an RBI single by Ava Stafursky.
Getz, Tobler, Stafursky, Rebecca Henry, and Tessa Boswell each recorded a hit, while Gurevich improved to 7-1, scattering six hits and striking out eight in a complete-game effort.
Game two saw a reversal of fortunes as the Mustangs fell 4-1. McDaniel capitalized on five Stevenson errors, scoring two runs each in the fifth and seventh innings.
Stevenson’s lone run came in the final frame when Tobler tripled and scored Sahara Ward.
Tobler, Stafursky, Ward, Rebecca Maiorano, and Danielle Mills each had a hit. Alexis Kirkessner took the loss, allowing four unearned runs while striking out four.
Senior Day Split vs. Alvernia
Sunday’s Senior Day celebration brought drama and resilience, as Stevenson (19-7, 6-4 MAC) bounced back from a game one loss to win a thrilling extra-inning game two against Alvernia (17-15, 3-7 MAC).
In the opener, the Mustangs jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to runs from Tobler and an RBI from Maiorano, but Alvernia exploded for five runs in the fifth to take control and hold on for a 7-4 win.
Despite the loss, Stevenson tallied 11 hits, including three from Getz and multi-hit performances from Maiorano and Stafursky. Gurevich suffered her second loss of the season, though all five runs she allowed were unearned.
Stevenson responded in game two with a gutsy 5-4 win in nine innings. Down 4-2 in the sixth, Stafursky came through with a clutch two-run single to score Getz and Tobler.
Then in the bottom of the ninth, Danielle Mills delivered the game-winning RBI double to right field, scoring Henry and sending the home crowd into celebration.
Getz was unstoppable at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a run scored. Tobler, Maiorano, Buher, and Stafursky all had two hits apiece.
Kirkessner was outstanding in the circle, going the distance with nine strikeouts and two walks to improve to 7-4.
Following the win, Stevenson honored its seniors: Lindsey Tolle, Maddie Buher, Grace Briggs, Rebecca Henry, and Elizabeth Russo for their contributions to the program.
The Mustangs are back in action Tuesday when they travel to face Mary Washington.
