In a game where the Muhlenberg softball team played pepper with the outfield fence, it was a batted ball that traveled about 15 feet that struck the biggest blow.

The Mules finished their Spring Break trip to Florida with an 8-2 win against Fredonia. In their first game of the day, they lost to Mount Union, 3-1, on a walkoff two-run homer.

Muhlenberg came home to the colder weather with a 3-7 record that belied how well it competed. The Mules scored more runs than their 10 opponents on the trip, with all seven of their losses coming in the opponent's final at-bat. 

The team came back from every heartbreaking loss with determination, and it showed in the finale against Fredonia. Muhlenberg pounded out 14 hits, including six doubles - one short of the school record. Sophomore Kristina Qualben tied a school record with three two-baggers, and junior Karissa Astrella had two among her three hits. Junior Paige Seitz belted the other double, one of several that narrowly missed clearing the fence.

The offense was plenty for junior Haley Fedak, who pitched a complete-game six-hitter for her first win of the season. The righty struck out seven and averaged more than a strikeout per inning (28 in 26 1/3) during her five Sunshine State appearances.

The Mules were already ahead 2-0 on Seitz' double and a fielder's choice when senior Sarah Merlo stepped to the plate with runners on first and third and one out in the bottom of the second. Merlo (pictured above) put down a one-handed bunt that rolled in between home and the pitching circle. The Fredonia catcher picked up the ball and threw to first, but the ball got past the first baseman and rolled all the way to the fence, allowing both runners and Merlo to score. The three-run "Little League home run" extended Muhlenberg's lead to 5-0.

Qualben, who joined Fedak and two other Muhlenberg players who have hit three doubles in a game, drove in runs with two-baggers in the third and sixth, and junior Hanna Caiola also singled in a run.

Merlo later added another bunt hit, and sophomore Kristy Selby also had two hits in the game.

Senior Courtney Simon drove in the Mules' lone run in the first game with a first-inning single. She reached base in four of seven plate appearances in the two games and came home with a .432 on-base percentage.