The Canisius College softball team ended its six-game losing streak by defeating Detroit 9-8 in eight innings Tuesday afternoon at Buysse Ballpark in Detroit, Mich. Canisius senior Paige Freiberger drove in the game-winning RBI in the nightcap to help lift the Golden Griffins to the win. Canisius is now 11-11 on the season, while the Titans moved to 5-19 overall.

In the first game of the non-league doubleheader, the host Titans picked up their first home win of the season by a 9-8 score. Detroit scored five runs in the bottom half of the sixth to overcome a 7-4 deficit enroute to the victory.

In the second game, Detroit took a 1-0 lead in the home half of the third, but Canisius jumped to a 4-1 cushion with a four-run fifth, highlighted by RBI-doubles by Freiberger and teammate Stephanie Pfentner. Freiberger drove in two runs with her double to center, and she later scored when Pfentner ripped an extra-base hit to the gap in right center. Pfentner crossed the plate as the Blue and Gold's fourth run moments later on an RBI-single by senior Emily Helbig. Canisius added a single run in the sixth and three more runs in the seventh on a solo homer by Freiberger and a two-RBI double by junior Lauren Falzone that put the Griffs up 8-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom half of the last frame, the Titans scored seven runs to force the game to extra innings. The big blow came with two outs when pinch-hitter Karyn McCarty ripped a three-run home run to right center. The Titans had a chance to win the game, but Lizzy Gatto gunned down Whitney Stratton at the plate to end the threat.

In the eighth, Gatto led off the inning with a base hit through the left side of the infield, and she promptly stole second base to move into scoring position. Gatto advanced to third on a passed ball and then crossed the plate as the game-winning tally when Freiberger roped a single to center with one out. In the bottom of the eight, Detroit led the inning off with a base hit, but that runner was caught stealing for the second out, and freshman hurler Jen Consaul got a ground out to end the game in favor of Canisius.

Freiberger ended the second game by going 3-for-4 with a homer, a double and four RBI, while Gatto and Falzone added two hits apiece in the victory. Consaul picked up her second win of the season in the circle after she fanned a career-high nine in a complete-game effort.

Canisius trailed in the first game by a score of 4-0 before taking a 5-4 lead with a five-run fourth inning. Pfentner got the Griffs on the scoreboard with her team-leading fourth homer of the season to lead off the inning, and later in the frame, senior Lauren Hope drove in a run with an RBI-double that allowed freshman Valorie Nappo to score. Gatto knocked in two runs moments later with a two-RBI base hit that drove Falzone and Hope across the dish.

Canisius scored single runs in the fifth and sixth to take a 7-4 lead, highlighted by a Pfentner's second homer of the day to lead off the fifth inning. Detroit scored five times in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-7 lead, and Canisius' rally in the seventh fell short as the Griffs left runners at second and third base.

Hope went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, a run batted in and a season-high three stolen bases in the loss, while Pfentner went 2-for-3 with two home runs, two runs scored and two RBI. Sophomore Amanda Baun took the loss for Canisius after she fanned nine and walked eight.

The Griffs will open MAAC play on Saturday, April 9 when the team plays host to Saint Peter's. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., at the Demske Sports Complex.

Game Notes: Canisius now leads the all-time series against Detroit 3-2... The Griffs racked up a total of 26 hits on the day, with 11 of those hits being for extra bases... This marks the first multi-homer game of Pfentner's career... Hope's four hits in the first game matches a career high, and her three steals gives her 103 stolen bases in her career... Hope has now scored 120 runs in her career, which ranks fourth all-time in school history... Gatto racked up a total of five hits on the day and also stole three bases... Freiberger's home run makes her the 11th player in school history to his 12 or more homers in her career... Baun now has 229 career strikeouts in 228.2 innings of work... The complete-game effort for Consaul was the second for the freshman this season.