Story Courtesy of Misericordia Athletics

Casey Funesti blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Misericordia University softball team rallied for an 8-4 win over FDU-Florham to stay alive in the MAC Freedom Softball Championships, Saturday at Anderson Field.
 
Funesti drilled a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left center to cap a five-run inning as the Cougars advanced to Sunday's championship game against Lebanon Valley.
 
Funesti had three hits and six RBI and Mackenzie Fizer drove in two runs and Kiersten Tinio scored three runs.
 
Gabby Cruz held the Devils scoreless over the final four innings to earn the win.
 
Trailing 4-3 in the sixth, Alicia Moran singled through thee left side with one out and Doherty and Tinio walked to load the bases.  Casey Funesti was hit by a pitch to tie the game and Funesti fouled off to pitches before connecting on the hit to put MU ahead.
 
FDU-Florham had six hits in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead.
 
The Cougars cut the margin in half in the bottom of the third.  Doherty singled through the left side and came all the way around on Fizer's double to the base of the fence in left center.  Funesti singled off the wall in center to make it 4-2.
 
Tinio drew a one-out walk in the fifth and Funesti doubled into the rightfield corner to get within a run.
 
Cruz allowed just hits over the final four innings.