Clermont, Fla.- After an enjoyable off day in the Florida sunshine on Wednesday, the Georgian Court University softball team returned to the diamond Thursday with regional contests vs. Gannon University and Assumption College. Unfortunately, the Lions were unable to finally fill the win column on this day as GCU dropped both decisions.

GAME ONE

It looked as if it would be a rough day for GCU vs. Gannon University as the Lions' first six batters of the game struck out swinging vs. Golden Knights' starter, Olivia Gumbita (So.-Latrobe, Pa.).

After plating three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Gannon (5-2) increased its lead to a seemingly comfortable 5-1 advantage. The Lions' offense, however, turned on the afterburners in the top of the sixth as GCU waved four runs in to tie the contest at 5-5. SS JoLei Buonanno started the scoring with an RBI single to center, followed by a mighty three-run blast over the centerfield wall by freshman Alycia Marsello.

With the momentum fully on the side of Georgian Court, the Lions' bats provided some addtional thunder in extra frames, scoring four more runs in the top of the eighth, again highlighted by a Marsello three-run bomb, this time over the right-field wall.

Carrying a 9-5 lead into the bottom of the inning, GCU's first triumph seemed inevitable. Gannon had no interest in being numero uno, however, as the Golden Knights rallied for five runs on three hits to steal the 10-9 victory, walking off the Lions (0-8) and leaving them virtually stunned.     

Relievers were the pitchers of record in the contest as Alison Benz (Jr.-Orchard Park, N.Y.) took the win for Gannon while Courtney Tylutki fell to 0-5 in 0.1 innings of relief.

Marsello finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs and six RBI for GCU while Dara Schroeder also went 3-for-4 at the plate, which included a ringing double off the right-field fence and two stolen bases.

GAME TWO

The nightcap turned out to be no contest as Assumption College (6-1) scored eight in the first, five in the second, and five more in the fourth as the Greyhounds ran away with an 18-1, five-inning win.

Alyssa Paradiso shined for the Lions with a 3-for-3 performance with the bat while Marsello and Stefanie Aplin provided two hits each for GCU.

Georgian Court returns to play on Friday afternoon as the Lions match up with Notre Dame College (Ohio) at 1:00 p.m., followed by Wheeling Jesuit University at 5:00 p.m.