Bethel Box Score | Westfield State Box Score
Orlando, FL — Making its second trip to the Sunshine State this season, the Messiah softball team opened spring break play in familiar fashion with wins over Bethel University and Westfield State College Monday. The team remained perfect a 4-0 win over the Royals in the morning opener and a 5-3 comeback win over Westfield State in the second contest, running its record to 10-0 on the year.
"We played well again today," said Amy Weaver, Messiah head coach. "This group is always working hard and never giving up."
That sentiment was key in the Falcons' tilt with Westfield State, as for only the second time this season, Messiah trailed an opponent. The Owls used a game-opening triple to score one run in the first and another three-bagger in the third to claim an eventual 3-0 advantage, putting Weaver's squad in an unenviable situation.
As it did in its last appearance, Messiah would come up huge at the plate.
A three-run bottom of the third and singular runs in the fourth and sixth innings would provide all the necessary offense for the club, as junior Megan Rice and sophomore Corinn Eby combined to keep things quiet for the Owls in their final four plate appearances.
And while it wasn't quite as striking as junior Nicole Adams' game-winning grand slam in the team's comeback win at Arcadia last week, Monday's rally over Westfield State was every bit as impressive. The Falcons laid the groundwork for its three-run third inning with a pair of singles and stolen bases — sophomore Rebekkah Funk and freshman Abi Buchler supplied them — while another base hit from freshman Abi Buchler drove the pair in. A follow-up single from junior Lindsay Hall plated Merkel, and the Falcons had successfully erased the early 3-0 deficit.
Weaver's team would rely on base hits to eventually win the game as well, as all of Messiah's 12 hits on the game were singles. Buchler again got things started in the fourth inning, eventually coming home on a base knock from senior Amy Bowie. Buchler added an insurance run off another single in the sixth, coming all the way around to score following an error on the Owls' catcher.
Buchler and Merkel each finished 3-4 at the plate, with Merkel driving in two runs and Buchler scoring three. Hall and Bowie each finished 2-3, Messiah's only other multiple-hit performers.
Rice (4-0) secured the pitching win in going five full innings in her fourth start, while Eby (1) recorded her first pitching save. The sophomore allowed just one hit while striking out two over the game's final two innings.
"Our game against Westfield State was a battle," Weaver said. "We responded well after begin down 3-0. The atmosphere in our dugout continues to be one of electricity."
No such drama was needed in the day's first game, as freshman Jessica Rhoads recorded her fifth pitching win in as many starts — and fourth in shut-out fashion.
Rhoads (5-0) struck out 10 Royals while allowing just two hits, maintaining a scoreless tie until the Falcons' bats could get going midway through. An RBI double from Merkel got Messiah on the bard in its half of the third, while a double from Adams brought three more home in the fifth.
Merkel added another double in that inning, helping Messiah to 11 total hits in the day opener. The Falcons left a season-high 14 runners on base, however, preventing the club from opening the gap any further on the scoreboard.
Merkel's 3-4 performance paced the club, while Funk finished 2-4 with a run scored. Adams' well-timed double was her third of the season. She and Merkel now lead the team with 13 RBI each.
"Jessica again pitched great, shutting down Bethel," Weaver said. "We got the hits we needed but left a lot of people on base. We've got to get them in when we have the opportunity."
Messiah will continue its eight-game-in-five-day Florida odyssey tomorrow, as the team will take on Suffolk College at 9:30 a.m. and Bethany College at 11:30 a.m.
