Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
Grantham, PA — If this is how alumni days are going to turn out for the Messiah College softball team, head coach Amy Weaver should start inviting former players back on a regular basis.
Messiah (13-11, 3-1) handed MAC Commonwealth Conference foe Lycoming College 9-0 and 9-1 losses in five-inning games Saturday afternoon at the Messiah College Softball Complex, crushing four home runs in a significantly truncated afternoon: The day's first contest went just 55 minutes — a Messiah softball record — while the Falcons' home run derby in the latter event sent Lycoming (1-9, 0-4) home with plenty of daylight remaining.
The day's first game began at 1 p.m. The alumni day events started around 3:30.
"I think we were all pumped to play on Saturday," Weaver said afterward. "It was alumni day here and some were excited to see some old teammates come out as well. I don't think we've ever played a double-header in such record time. We planned a burger fest with alumni for approximately 5 p.m., but ended up eating with alumni, parents and friends at 3:30 p.m. It was incredible."
A cumulative three-hit allowance in the pitching circle and some monster offense led to the short sweep, as Weaver's club wasted little time in opening the onslaught in the day's first contest. After junior Jenna Batchelor (4-1) retired nine of the first 10 Lady Warriors batters, Messiah exploded for five runs in the third inning, led by a two-RBI double from sophomore Tori Hatt. The Falcons then tacked on four more scores in the fourth inning, as doubles from senior Lana Trotter and sophomore Nicole Adams began the process.
Batchelor then grounded out the top of the fifth in order, ending the game via the eight-run rule.
Trotter finished 2-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Adams went 2-2 with two RBI. Junior Amy Bowie finished 1-1 with an RBI. Hatt's third-inning double was her only hit, driving in two.
Batchelor forced 11 groundouts in the win, walking none while giving up just two hits in a complete-game performance.
Perhaps anxious to get to the alumni day activities, Weaver's club made certain to be just as quick in the nightcap, scoring five runs in the first two innings of work while getting the home run machine cranking early. Back-to-back solo shots from Trotter and Adams began things in the first inning, while a double from freshman Rebecca Stackhouse drove in two more in the second.
Messiah added four runs in the fourth, starting with a lead-off homer from freshman pitcher Jessica Climenhaga, her first in the collegiate ranks. Climenhaga (5-3) was not having too bad of a day in the pitcher's circle, either, going the distance while allowing just one Lycoming hit and striking out eight.
Trotter followed Climenhaga's blast with a two-run shot just four batters later, part of another 2-3, three RBI performance for the senior. Stackhouse finished with an identical stat line, while Adams and Climenhaga each drove in a run via solo homer.
"Our bats came alive and never stopped through either game," Weaver said. "Jenna Batchelor dominated in the circle in the first game, shutting down the Lyco offense completely. The team's intensity remained solid through both games, never letting up despite the domination. The girls got really excited in game two with the home run display. They just seemed to feed off each other and kept hitting them out."
Weaver and company enjoyed fellowship with a variety of former players following the games. A photo gallery of the post-game events can be viewed by clicking here.
"It was a great performance in pitching, fielding and hitting today," Weaver said. "No errors on the field, it just all seemed to come together."
Messiah will look to keep its collective surge going — the team has now won six of its last seven games — when it travels to McDaniel College Wednesday afternoon for a non-league match-up. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
