The Misericordia University softball team dropped a pair of non-conference games to Susquehanna on Tuesday afternoon at Anderson Field, falling 6-0 in game one before dropping the nightcap 7-3.
 
The Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third. Sarah Bush, Kathryn Gilbert and Larissa Luu each singled to lead off the inning and Amanda Neveroski sent two runs home on a double to left center. After Armillay struck out a batter, Brittany Devlin drew a walk to reload the bases. Armillay got Lauren Gilbert to pop up to shortstop for the second out. However, a Cougar error allowed Bridget Rafter to reach bases and scored Gilbert to give the Crusaders a 3-0 lead.
 
The Crusaders added three more in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of three walks and an error to extend their lead to 6-0.
 
Jess Armillay took the loss in game one for the Cougars, allowing seven hits and six runs (four earned) while walking 10 over seven innings.
 
Sarah Bush and Larissa Luu each had two hits to lead Susquehanna, while Sarah Hoffman allowed just five hits in the shutout.
 
In game two, Susquehanna once again jumped out to a 3-0 lead, plating three runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Cougars got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Kristi Seiler hit a one-out double, moved to third on a Polaha single and continued home on a Crusader fielding error to cut the score to 3-1.
 
The Crusades scored four unearned runs in the top of the fifth on timely hitting and a pair of MU fielding errors.
 
Whitney Ellenberg hit a one-out single to give the Cougars a threat in the bottom of the fifth, and Caitlin Cromley made it count, blasting a two-run homer to center field that cut the deficit to 7-3.
 
That would be as close as the Cougars would get, however, as neither team managed any runs in the final two innings.
 
Kristi Seiler went 2-4 to lead the Cougar offense in the second game while Cromley took the game two loss on the mound, allowing nine hits and seven runs (three earned) while striking out five over seven innings.
 
Cantalini, Anna Heggenstaller, Rafter and Stephanie Chlebove each had two hits for Susquehanna in game two while Morgan Lewis earned the victory on the mound.
 
The Cougars conclude their season tomorrow when they host Wilkes for a 3:30 PM doubleheader.