GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. -- The Marymount University softball team dropped a hard-fought twinbill to Gwynedd Mercy University on Saturday afternoon in Atlantic East Conference action. 

Game One

The Saints struck first in the opening contest on Saturday afternoon but were unable to build off their early success, as the Griffins earned a 3-1 victory. MU finished the game with an 8-7 edge in hits. Despite the consistent approach at the dish, the Saints couldn't generate the runs they needed to edge Gwynedd Mercy. 

Sara Emig and Samantha Cinotti combined for the Saints' game-opening run in the top of the first inning. After Cinotti got on with a leadoff single, Emig launched a triple into right field that got the Blue and White on the board. 

Gwynedd Mercy answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame and added another score in the third inning. Shanyn Burch held the Griffins scoreless from there in the pitcher's circle with a pair of strikeouts. Gwynedd Mercy fended off the Saints' comeback efforts however to earn the win. 

Emig paced the Saints at the dish with a  3-for-3 performance. Cinotti ended the game 2-for-4. Nadya Soliman, Sheila Kiernan, and Hailey Leamer all added one hit apiece. 

Game Two

Gwynedd Mercy flipped the script in the second game of the doubleheader as teh Griffins plated a pair runs in the first inning. The home side tacked on another run in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead. 

The Saints battled back in the top of the fifth inning as Emig struck at the plate once again. With Leamer on second base, Emig lashed a single through the left side that brought Leamer around to score and make it 3-1. 

Marymount threatened in the sixth inning, as Amanda Coates reached on a single and Kaylynn Johnson followed with a double down the left-field line. MU couldn't bring the two runners home, however, as the Griffins worked out of the jam and held on for the win. 

Five different batters tallied a hit for the Blue and White. Elizabeth Corcoran, Emig, Coates, Johnson, and Leamer all hit safely for the Saints. Lemur added one walk and scored one run for the Saints. In the pitcher's circle, Morgan Hunt threw six innings and allowed just two earned runs. 

The Saints return home for their next contest on Wednesday, April 6, when they host Washington College (Md.) for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.