ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Eastern Softball was swept by visiting Misericordia on Thursday afternoon falling by scores of 4-1 and 10-2. The Eagles offense never could find a rhythm totaling 19 runners left on base in both games combined and the bases loaded four times. 

"We struggled to score today and didn't take advantage of our opportunities," said Head Coach Claire Emplit. "It simply comes down to execution and we did not do that today." 

In game one, Eastern (6-12, 1-3 MAC Freedom) fell behind 1-0 in the top of the third after a double plated the opening run. In the top of the fifth, Eastern found itself in more trouble as Misericordia (10-6, 4-0 MAC Freedom) loaded the bases three times in the inning, scoring three times to stretch the lead to 4-1. 

In the bottom half of the fifth inning, the Eagles began to find a little offensive rhythm. Erin Johnson singled to lead off the inning for Eastern, followed by Ashton Tomlinson reaching base on an error to give the Eagles runners on first and second. A sacrifice bunt by Deanna Laughman advanced both runners, giving Eastern two runners in scoring position for only the second time all game. After Alyssa Bolger had reached base on a fielder's choice, Kasey Williams earned a walk to plate the Eagles' first run of the game cutting the deficit to 4-1. Back-to-back pop ups ended the bases-loaded threat and inning.  

Eastern threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, but failed to capitalize. Johnson and Tomlinson had reached base on back-to-back errors before Laughman earned a walk to load the bases once again, but a groundout to third ended the inning and scoring threat. The Eagles would leave another two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh to total eight runners left on base in the final three innings.

"We had three opportunities to come back in that game and didn't capitalize on any of them," continued Emplit. "We left five runners on base in the last two innings combined, and that can't happen we have to find a way to get them home."   

Haleigh Williams went seven innings allowing eight hits and four runs while striking out two and walking six. With the loss, H. Williams falls to 3-6 on the season.

In the second game, Misericordia jumped out a 5-0 lead in the first inning. However, Eastern managed to rally in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the deficit to just three, ,making the score 5-2. 

"We took advantage of our opportunity in that situation and began to find a little offensive rhythm," stated Emplit. "I was proud of the girls to find a way and overcome a slow start and get back in the game." 

Haleigh Williams led off the inning with a single before Morgan Burke doubled to give the Eagles runners on second and third with no outs. Taylor Crown singled two batters later, driving in both H. Williams and Burke to pull the Eagles within three. Tomlinson, Maria Day, and Laughman then all reached base safely later in the inning, but were left stranded as a groundout ended the threat. 

After Misericordia tacked on another five runs in the top of the fifth inning to stretch the lead to 10-2, Eastern had one more opportunity to keep the game alive. The Eagles loaded the bases for the second straight inning, but a fly out to deep center ended the scoring threat and game.

Overall, Eastern left the bases loaded four times in both games, scoring only one time in both games combined. 

"We have to get better and simply execute better, plain and simple," concluded Emplit. "Misericordia is a good team, take nothing away from them they earned both wins. We will be better for this and move on to the next series."   

Eastern travels to FDU-Florham on April 2nd.