Reading, PA - The No. 7 Messiah softball team defeated Arcadia University in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament in a 19-inning battle by a score of 1-0. Amber Bingaman led the team with three hits on the day while Emily Quatrale, Amanda Jones, Angie Stephano, and Madelyn Yannetti each had two hits.

Yanniett (16-3) also went the full 19 innings in the circle putting forth a great performance to help the Falcons earn the win.

Pitching, Defense, Pitching, Defense
This was a game of strong pitching, solid defense, and missed offensive opportunities as both teams had chances to score throughout. In the bottom of the second inning Messiah had a chance to score when Amber Bingaman singled to right field and two batters later Emily Quatrale singled through the left side. With runners at first and second and one out Madelyn Yannetti popped up and then Shannon Denny hit a liner to third base to end the inning.
 
Pitching and defense controlled the next four innings as neither team had many chances to score but things got exciting in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Falcons had the smell of victory but an interference call stifled the Falcon cheers.
 
Emily Quatrale hit a single through the right side with one out to get the inning started and Ashley Carroll then entered to pinch run. Yannetti stepped up and delivered a single to left center with Carroll advancing all the way to third base on the play. With a runner in scoring position and one out, Shannon Denny was put in a familiar spot as she made her way to the batter's box. Denny laid down a beautiful bunt on the first base line and Carroll scored on the play but after a conference between the umpires it was ruled that the ball hit Denny on the way to first base and she was called out. All runners were placed back on the bases they started. Arcadia's pitcher Mary Pat Murray forced the next batter Carrie Fix to pop out as the game heading into extra innings.
 
Extra Innings
Later in the top of the tenth inning Arcadia put some pressure on the Messiah defense when a fielding error allowed Nicole Iasiello to reach base safely. After a fly out to right field and a sacrifice bunt to advance Iasiello to second base, the Falcons made the decision to intentionally walk Jackie Bilotti and it paid off. Yannetti was able to get the next batter to fly out to right field to end the inning.
 
The Knights had another opportunity to score a few innings later in the twelfth when Kaylee Zarick doubled to left center with one out and then Kayla Resh singled. With Bilotti at the plate she hit a infield blooper that went right over Yannetti's head but Amanda Jones was there to sweep up the ball. The runner at second froze and so Jones was able to toss it over to third for the force play and second out of the inning.
 
The next batter for Arcadia hit a single up the middle and while Carrie Fix made an excellent throw to get Resh out at home, the umpires placed her back on third base due to fielder interference by Messiah. However, even in a tight jam with the bases loaded, Yannetti again worked out of it and retired the next batter to end the threat.
 
In the bottom half of their inning the Falcons put together a two-out rally when Samantha Esper reached on a fielding error and then Amanda Jones singled through the left side. Both would be left on base as Erin Cressman flied out to centerfield to end the inning. Messiah's next opportunity to push a run across came in the bottom of the 15th when again with two outs they managed to get two runners on base and into scoring position. Angie Stephano looked to bring the runner home but Arcadia's right fielder made a nice diving catch to finish the inning.
 
Defense controlled the remainder of the game and both pitchers were still going strong even after pitch counts were well in the 200s. Finally after having multiple opportunities the Falcons broke through in the bottom of the 19th inning to secure the win.
 
Game To Go Down in History
With two outs Erin Cressman drew a walk and then Amber Bingaman singled to the pitcher with Cressman advancing to second on the play. A single by Stephano loaded the bases as Quatrale stepped to the plate. During the at bat a passed ball allowed Cressman to score from third and seal the victory for the Falcons.
 
Overall Messiah had 16 hits and committed just two errors through 19 innings played and they improve to 34-6 on the year.
 
This game will also go down in the record books for the longest 1-0 victory in NCAA Division III history.
 
A tough battle right down to the end the Falcons stayed the course and today's win advances them into day two of the MAC Commonwealth Tournament as they look to defend their MAC Championship title. A quick turnaround as they play Widener University tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.