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Box Score

DRIFTON, Pa. – The Gannon softball team fell in extra innings during Wednesday's opening round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament to Bloomsburg by a 7-1 final.
 
An expected pitchers' duel between Megan Dragon (Ashtabula, Ohio / Edgewood) and Cait Paine came to fruition as the two hurlers combined to throw 18 innings, striking out 27 batters. There were only five baserunners through the first seven innings and no player from either team reached farther than second base.
 
Gannon's runners came in the form of a single from Samantha Scott (New Baltimore, Mich. / Anchor Bay) and Kirstie Cortazzo (Jeannette, Pa.  / Jeannette) reaching on an error before later hitting a single.
 
Bloomsburg's only runners before heading into extra innings reached with a walk and a single.
 
The Huskies threatened in the top of the eight after the Leach reached with a single to centerfield. Jaleesa Sledge (Olean, N.Y. / Olean) attempted a diving catch but was unable to come up with the out. McHale then laid down a bunt that died on the third-base line to make it first and second with one out.
 
A ball hit to Scott by the next batter resulted in a force out at third before Sledge caught a line drive to end the inning.
 
Gannon had one runner on in the bottom half of the inning after Sledge reached on a bunt single, but were unable to advance her past first.
 
Bloomsburg finally broke through in the top of ninth, rallying for seven runs. Yanora led off the inning with a double, sparking the Bloomsburg offense. Pientack came through for the Huskies at the plate next with a home run to left field. Bloomsburg added four more hits and were aided by two Gannon errors to score seven total runs in the inning.
 
The Lady Knights didn't go quietly in the bottom of the ninth, adding a run thanks to a solo home run from Jess Rectenwald (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills). Scott and Cortazzo both made loud outs, lining out to the pitcher and centerfielder respectively.  
 
Scott, Rectenwald, Cortazzo and Sledge accounted for Gannon's four hits in the game. Dragon took the loss after tossing all nine innings. Only two of the runs allowed were earned as the junior struck out 11.
 
For Bloomsburg, Cait Paine struck out 16 Lady Knights, allowing one run on four hits. Erika Yanora and Kuhns each had two hits while Baer and Pientack each had two RBIs.
 
Gannon will face Mercyhurst tomorrow at 10 a.m. in an elimination game.