The Misericordia University softball team experienced both the joy of victory and the sorrow of defeat in Clermont, Florida Thursday morning.

MU defeated PSU-Behrend 3-1 before taking a 9-1, five inning loss to MAC Commonwealth opponent Alvernia in second game.

Alissa Steier tossed a complete game for the Cougars against PSU-Behrend, allowing one run on six hits and added one walk and strikeout apiece.

Melanie Quintanilla got things started in the first for Misericordia, knocking a single to center-field. Abby Marzzacco laid down a sacrifice bunt to get her over to second.

Melissa Parker came to the plate and smashed a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence, scoring Quintanilla.

The Lions manufactured run in the top of the fifth to tie things at one, but MU responded in the bottom of the inning.

First Mackenzie Yurko singled on the first pitch, Quintanilla walked and then Marzzacco moved them forward with a sacrifice bunt.

Lori Brennan drove both of them home by clobbering a double to centerfield.

In the bottom of the seventh Marzzacco made a spectacular diving play in shallow right field for the second out of the inning.

Maddie Stebich took the mound in the second game against Alvernia, went 3.2 innings while giving up 10 hits, nine runs while striking out two.

The Crusaders jumped out to five run lead in the second and cruised from there.

Parker got one back for the MU in the top of the fourth by way of the long ball, smacking a pitch over the leftfield fence.

Alvernia responded with a sac fly and then followed that up with a two run home-run to make it 8-1.

The Crusaders scored their final run off a triple and then scored off a throwing error.

Diana Kestenbaum went 2-2 for MU.

MU is currently 2-6, and wraps up their Florida trip tomorrow with games against nationally ranked Alfred and Wesley.