Game 1 Box Score - Game 2 Box Score
By Bryn Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Fredericksburg, VA — Playing in its first set of games in nine months, the Messiah softball program jumped out to a fast start for the 2011 season, defeating the University of Mary Washington in consecutive routs, 11-4 and 11-0 Saturday.
The Falcons, who are ranked sixth in the NFCA Division III Pre-Season Top 25, are beginning the season without junior pitcher Jess Rhoads — a 2010 First Team All-American — who is bothered by a nagging leg injury. Messiah head coach Amy Weaver said that Rhoads will begin throwing soon and may be able to pitch a few innings in early March.
As a result, Messiah (2-0) started sophomore Jocelyn Hickey (1-0) in Saturday's season-opener, but it really wouldn't have mattered who the Falcons placed in the pitching circle: The team rapped out 16 hits, scored 11 runs and benefited from four Eagles' errors to coast to the 11-4 victory.
Sophomore Steph Schell, a Second-Team All-East Region selection last season, began the action with a single in the second inning. Schell was forced out on a fielder's choice but with two outs, junior Lauren Seneca singled and classmate Ashley Lehman walked to load the bases. Freshman Sara Seneca, the younger sister of Lauren, singled home two runs, the first of what is guaranteed to be many base hits by Messiah's newest leadoff hitter.
Another new face helped the Falcons score two more runs in the third frame. After junior Jacki Merkel walked and stole second, freshman Krista Ammon tripled home Merkel and scored on Schell's sacrifice fly.
The Falcons added three more runs in the fourth inning, as juniors Abi Buchler, Merkel and Jess Brown rapped out singles. Two Mary Washington errors helped the Falcons take a commanding, 7-0 lead.
The Falcons allowed four runs in the final two innings, but still won easily.
“Jocelyn threw a shutout in the first five innings and started losing steam in the sixth,” Weaver said. “Overall, she pitched very well. I think if we try to work her out longer, she'll be a really good pitcher this year.”
Weaver started freshman pitcher Sara Dietrich (1-0) in the second game, who promptly tossed a one-hit shutout.
“She only got to pitch five innings (because of the mercy rule), but she did really well,” Weaver said. “She is a very good pitcher and has a ton of potential. You never know what you're going to get with a freshman pitcher in their first collegiate appearance, but she acted like she's been doing this forever.”
Ammon began the Falcons' scoring with a big, two-out two-run home run in the first inning. Classmate Sara Seneca doubled home a run in the second inning, and the Falcons led 3-0.
Messiah then broke the game wide open with a huge five-hit, six-run third inning. With one out, Ammon and Schell walked. Brown singled home a run, as did classmate Lauren Seneca, who then stole second. Lehman added an RBI single, Sara Seneca doubled home a run, and Buchler closed out the scoring with a two-run double. After three innings, freshman pitcher Sara Dietrich could enjoy a 9-0 lead.
Sara Seneca popped a two-run home run in the fifth to complete the scoring. Rhoads made a pinch-hit appearance, and rapped a single in her first at-bat of the season.
The Falcons won 11-0, their biggest win since a 13-0 pounding of Alvernia University on Apr. 10 of last season. They collected 22 runs and 29 hits in just 12 innings of play.
“Our hitting was really amazing,” Weaver said. “I know we're capable of hitting, but I didn't expect this much. Even when we got out, they were usually line drives right at somebody. Sara (Seneca) and Krista (Ammon) hit really well. We were also able to play 16 out of 19 players in the two games, and that was really nice.”
The Falcons will next take their talents to Clermont, Florida for a pair of games Monday, Feb. 28. Messiah will face Alma College and Adrian College at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, before returning back to campus. It will be the first of two trips to the Sunshine State for the club, as Messiah is slated to play eight games in five days during the institution's spring break Mar. 14-18.
