ROCHESTER, NY – Junior
Rachel Mertens became the first-ever Nazareth pitcher to throw a perfect game, helping the Golden Flyers take game two 8-0 against Houghton to earn a split on the day. Nazareth fell 8-2 in game one. Mertens allowed no hits, had no walks, and struck out three of the 15 batters she faced.
Nazareth moves to 18-20 on the season and 2-10 in Empire 8 play, while Houghton drops to 8-28 and 1-13, respectively.
Game 1: Houghton 8, Nazareth 2
Houghton used a five run first inning and never looked back. The Highlanders would have only scored one run in the inning had it not been for an error. Toni Kling launched a three run homer during the spurt.
Nazareth responded with one run of its own in the bottom half on an RBI double by
Maureen Rogers to score
Morgan Ross.
The Golden Flyers managed just four hits in the contest, leaving three runners on in the third inning.
Another error in the fifth plagued the Golden Flyers for three more unearned runs, pushing the visitors lead to 8-1.
Rogers registered her second RBI in the bottom of the fifth to round out the scoring at 8-2.
Danae Wetherbee went three innings on the mound, surrendering five runs (one earned) on six hits.
Nicole White pitched the final four innings, not allowing any earned runs. She allowed just three hits and struck out four.
Rogers went 2-for-3 in the game.
Game 2: Nazareth 8, Houghton 0 (5 innings)
Mertens struck out the first two batters in the game to set an early tone. Nazareth then scored three runs in both the first and second innings.
In the first, Nazareth touched home on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Mertens registered the lone RBI in the inning.
Marissa Tortora ripped a double to pick up an RBI in the second. Rogers batted in her third RBI of the day later in the frame.
The Golden Flyers kept the bats going in the third, racking up four more hits en route to two more runs and an 8-0 advantage. Ross and
Meghan Barry earned RBI singles.
For the game, Nazareth totaled 14 hits with Ross, Tortora, Rogers, Mertens and Barry all going 2-for-3.
Nazareth closes out the season on Sunday when it hosts Utica at 1 p.m. for a doubleheader.
