BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After committing eight errors in a 10-3 loss in game one, the Northampton softball team battled back for a 9-6 victory over Division II Mercer County Community College in game two on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite the harsh weather conditions, Northampton rallied for 9 runs in the 5th inning of the second game to earn the victory.  Melanie Hippenstiel hit a grand slam and came on in relief of starter Stephanie Rusu to earn the save.  Jesi Cericola was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, Rusu was 2 for 3 and Kristin Steiner finished 2 for 2 to lead the NCC offense.

In game one, Northampton committed 4 errors in the 5th inning which led to 4 Viking runs.  Karissa Frankenfield was 2 for 4 and Shelby Belzecky was 2 for 3 to pace the Spartans.

"I'm really proud of the girls," remarked Head Coach Tony Cocca, "today would have been a very easy day to throw in the towel, given the weather and how we played in the first game ... but the girls never quit ... I hope this gives us some momentum going into the weekend."

Northampton, now 6-4 overall (5-3 Region XIX), will return to action on Friday night when they will face Lehigh Carbon Community College at Patriots Park in Allentown, PA at 5pm. The Spartans will play six games in three days this weekend, traveling to Brookdale on Saturday and then hosting Middlesex County College on Sunday in their annual "Pink" game.

Mercer moves to 14-7 overall.

Patriots Park - Allentown, PA
1027 Wyoming St
Allentown, PA 18103