The Keiser University softball team fought hard against NCAA Division II Maryville University on Sunday afternoon in a doubleheader.  Heather Shapiro led the way for Keiser going 7-9 with two homeruns and five runs batted in.


Game 1: Maryville defeated the Seahawks 9-6.

• The Saints scored four runs in the first, before Avery Miller got Keiser on the board in the second with an RBI single to center field platting Taylor Beckman making it 4-1.
• Maryville answered with five runs in the third taking a 9-1 lead and putting the Seahawks in jeopardy of a mercy rule if they didn't score a run in the fifth. Shapiro delivered with a two run homer to left field scoring Nicole Granitto getting to within 9-3.  
• In the sixth, the first two batters were retired when Alyssa Cabral reached on a single, and A. Miller moved her to third when the shortstop overthrew first base. Granitto followed with an RBI single down the left field line trimming the margin to 9-4. Shanah Thomas loaded the bases but Maryville got Shapiro to fly out to center to end the inning.
• Two straight Keiser walks led off the seventh, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out. Cabral scored a run on an RBI groundout to second and an A. Miller single to the pitcher cut the deficit to 9-6. However, the Saints retired Granitto to win the game 9-6.
• Shapiro led the way with three hits, while Cabral and A. Miller had two hits apiece.
• Allison Williams threw five shutout innings in relief and only allowed three hits.

Game 2: The Saints defeated Keiser 9-7

• Maryville scored two runs in the first, one in the second, two in the fourth, and two in the fifth for a 7-0 advantage before Keiser got on the board in the bottom half of the fifth.
• Cassidy Miller and Meagan Flores hit back to back singles up the middle with one out and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Cabral. A. Miller and Kylie Waters followed with RBI singles making it 7-2.
• The Saints got both runs back in the sixth, but the Seahawks matched them in the bottom half with a two run homer to left center by Shapiro cutting the score to 9-4.
• Keiser mounted a comeback in the seventh when Cabral led off of with a double and A. Miller singled to center. After the next batter was retired, Aquaria Baines singled up the middle making it 9-5.
• Two straight RBI singles with two outs by Shapiro and Tyler Thomas got Keiser to within 9-7. Maryville then made a pitching change with the tying run at the plate and it paid off as they got the game ending fielder's choice to end the rally.
• Shaprio led the way with four hits, while A. Miller had three.

Up Next
The Seahawks welcome the College of Saint Joseph from Vermont on Thursday afternoon for a 1:00 and 3:00 doubleheader.