Cortland, NY – The No. 12 Messiah softball team was eliminated from the NCAA Regional Tournament after dropping two games, the first to Widener University 2-1 and then to SUNY Cortland 15-9 this afternoon. Erin Cressman was 4-8 on the day with two runs scored, Emily Quatrale was 2-6 with three runs scored and three RBI's, and Carrie Fix had three hits. Madelyn Yannetti (17-6) picked up both the losses in the pitching circle and the Falcons finish their season 35-10.

In recognition of their strong performances this weekend, Quatrale and Fix were both named to the All-Regional Tournament Team.

Game One: Messiah 1, Widener 2
Missed opportunities plagued the Falcons as they had chances to score but were unable to push runs across until the seventh inning. Erin Cressman led the team with two hits and scored the only run of the game by way of a home run. She has now tied the all-time record for career home runs with 20.
 
The Falcons made some noise in the first inning when with one out Samantha Esper reached due to an error and then stole second to get into scoring position. Amanda Jones then also reached by way of a fielding error with Esper advancing to third on the play. The next batter, Erin Cressman, singled to the pitcher to load the bases but the Pride defense stayed composed and managed to retire the next two hitters for Messiah and get out of the inning.
 
Widener got on the board first scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning. After a couple singles to start the inning, a close play at third that was unsuccessful by the Messiah defense loaded the bases. Then Amanda Jones made a nice play to get the runner at home by way of a force out for the first out on the inning. Pitcher Madelyn Yannetti walked the next hitter, Lauren DelRomano, for the Pride and so a run was able to score. Yannetti retired the next two hitters and all things considered the Falcons escaped with minimal damage holding them to just one run.
 
In the top of the fifth, Messiah loaded the bases and had a chance to score but again the Widener defense held their ground and stifled the Falcon offense. The Pride then added one more run in the bottom half of the inning to take a 2-0 lead. With one out Jamie Gosselin reached on an error and then a second error allowed her to reach third and DelRomano was able to reach base safely. The next hitter, Katie Sterling, laid down a sacrifice bunt and Messiah did not have a chance to get the runner coming home and so a run scored.
 
Heading into the top of the seventh and with Messiah still trailing 2-0 with two outs Erin Cressman hit a home run to get the Falcons on the board but the rally ended as the next hitter was retired to end the game.
 
Game Two: Messiah 9, SUNY Cortland 15
Messiah got the offense going early in the game when the scored in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Carrie Fix reached on a throwing error and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. With Samantha Esper at the plate she reached on a fielder's choice as Fix made it safely home for the run.
 
The Falcons added another run in the second inning when Madelyn Yannetti hit a single with one out to start things off. Emily Quatrale grounded into a fielder's choice as Yannetti was thrown out at second on the play, but then Shannon Denny reached on a bunt single and Quatrale kept running to third on the play. With runners at first and third Fix delivered a single to center field to score a run and give Messiah a 2-0 lead.
 
The third inning was where SUNY Cortland really broke it open scoring five runs to take the lead 5-2 over Messiah. The Red Dragons rattled Yannetti in the circle with six hit as Samantha Fouracre entered in relief to get the third and final out.
 
Heading into the bottom of the fourth with the Falcons still down 5-2 Fix earned a run back hitting a single to center field to score Emily Quatrale who singled earlier in the inning. Cortland responded in a big way in the next inning scoring five runs to extend their lead 10-2.
 
The Falcons answered with five runs of their own to cut the lead 10-5. Quatrale came up big in that inning with a double down the left field line that scored three runs to make the score 10-6. A batter later Shannon Denny laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Quatrale and add another run to the total.
 
This game, which can be described as a slug fest, as the Red Dragons again had a five-run inning for the third time in the game to push their run total to 15. Skyler Hoyt hit a grand slam in the inning to aid the rally and Cortland had a commanding 15-7 lead.
 
With Messiah needing to score to keep the game going they stepped up to the challenge adding a run so the eight-run mercy rule was no longer in effect. Erin Cressman hit a double to right field with two outs and then was brought home by Amber Bingaman who also doubled for the RBI. The Falcons added on final run in the seventh inning but their late rally was stifled as they fell by a final score of 15-9.