Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
Grantham, PA — Now this was more like it.
Just 24 hours following a split decision at Gettysburg College, Messiah returned to Commonwealth Conference play making a statement, drilling visiting Lycoming College by 7-0 and 9-1 scores Thursday afternoon at Starry Field.
Sophomore pitcher Jessica Rhoads (11-1) struck out nearly everyone in Game One while the Falcons' bats stayed hot throughout the day, churning out 23 hits and 15 RBI — all leading to 15 runs, equaling the second-most scored in a single day's work this season.
"We needed to come out and play like this today, for a number of reasons," said Amy Weaver, Messiah head coach. "These were two good wins at a good time for us."
Rhoads got extra run support in the day's first contest, though she wouldn't need it. The Dillsburg, Pa. native recorded 18 of the game's 21 total outs via strikeout, allowing Lycoming (7-15, 2-4) just two hits.
Messiah (17-4, 4-0) did all of its damage in the third and sixth innings, the former powered by doubles from sophomore Jaclyn Merkel and senior Abby Bergakker and the latter by five singles.
The Warriors' hopes were dashed quickly, however, leaving two of their total three base runners stranded in the first and second innings, respectively.
"Jess pitched really well and we were really good behind her," Weaver said. "We fed off each other at the plate, and we were able to score in bunches in two different innings."
That strategy was implemented in Game Two as well, as the Falcons notched six of their nine runs through the first three innings, taking what would turn out to be an insurmountable lead almost from the outset.
A double from sophomore Lauren Seneca drove in the first of two scores in the home team's first at-bat, while classmate Abi Buchler drove in senior Nicole Adams in the second, who singled as well.
Another two-bagger from Seneca started off the third, and when the dust cleared Messiah had blasted an additional three singles in that frame, scoring three runs to take a 6-0 advantage.
With a secure lead in place, freshman pitcher Jocelyn Hickey (2-1) was able to comfortably go the distance in the pitching circle, striking out four while allowing just six hits. Lycoming's lone run came in the top of the fourth, where an RBI single followed a walk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.
The Falcons made certain there would be no drama — or more than five innings — in the bottom of the frame, scoring three more runs off three more singles.
Seneca was a beast at the plate, going 3-3 with two runs scored off two doubles, while freshman Stephanie Schell went 2-2 with two runs scored as well. Freshman Daniella Pusateri went 2-2 in the nightcap, while Buchler went 2-3.
In Game One, Merkel finished 3-4 with two RBI, while Bergakker finished 2-4 with a run scored. On the day, 11 different Messiah players registered at least one hit while 10 batted a run across.
The Falcons will now get a brief, Easter respite before returning to league action Monday, as Widener University will visit Starry Field for a double-header beginning at 2:30 p.m. The date is a make-up date from this past Monday, where the games were postponed due to rain.
