CLERMONT, Fla. — Ashley Merkin’s three-run homer proved to be the difference Thursday as the Centre College softball defeated Lawrence University 7-4.
Merkin’s blast capped a four-run fourth inning that turned a two-run deficit into a 6-4 lead. Erika Brewer then pitched the final four innings to pick up the win for the Colonels (10-12).
Savanna Marsicek went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs for the Vikings, and Katie Schumacher collected a pair of hits.
Lawrence (5-5) trailed 1-0 when the Vikings struck for four runs in the bottom of the second. Taylor Dodson doubled and Schumacher singled to start the inning, and Jessica Demski’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1. A pair of walks loaded the bases and Marsicek cleared the bases with a double to put the Vikings up 4-1.
Centre added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, and the Vikings loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half of the inning but failed to score.
Maddie MacLean went 3 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on hits to take the loss for the Vikings.