The pitching of Raina Gorman and Yazzie Jameson combined with the hitting of Baylee McCormick powered Mercy College to 7-5 and 4-1 wins over St. Thomas Aquinas College in an East Coast Conference women's softball doubleheader today at Spartan Field.

The teams entered the twin bill tied for third place so the wins moved Mercy into sole possession of third place with an 8-8 record and 20-13 overall. It was Mercy's sixth straight win. STAC fell to 6-10 in the ECC and 11-23 overall.

In the first game, the Lady Spartans built a 4-3 lead after two innings on the strength of run-scoring hits by Melissa Sadler, Caitlyn Francoeur and Brittany Malloy. Briana Keaveney had a double and triple in the two rallies. The Mavericks stormed back with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead for good. McCormick had hits in both innings to help the rallies.

Gorman started slow but finished strong. She retired nine batters in a row in one stretch and held off a late STAC rally in the seventh inning to register her seventh win in 10 decisions. Keaveney finished with three hits, including two triples.

Jameson was the difference in the nightcap. The junior right hander from San Diego was in command throughout and finished with an efficient five-hitter with six strikeouts. McCormick homered for the winners. For the Spartans, Keaveney had two hits, a stolen base and pitched sixth innings of effective relief.

"We had our chances in the first game but let the game get away from us," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "Gorman really settled down in the first game and Jameson pitched a strong game in the second game. Keaveney's all-around play today exhibited her outstanding excellent athletic ability."

The Lady Spartans visit Mercy on Saturday for another ECC doubleheader that begins at noon.