Box Score
Grantham, PA - The #1 Messiah College Falcons earned their second win in the Commonwealth Softball Championships Friday. After a solid 6-2 victory over #4 Elizabethtown College in the opening game of the tournament , the Falcons subdued the explosive bats of #3 Alvernia University - who defeated #2 Lebanon Valley College 12-1 in only five innings of play in game two - to take the 3-1 win.
The Falcons (35-6) saw themselves with an early deficit after the Crusaders (33-9) posted one run on three hits in the top of the second, yet junior pitcher Sara Dietrich exuded confidence on the mound and shut down any offensive threat that came her way.
After the teams swapped three-up-three down half innings, Messiah responded in the bottom of the third to equalize the score at 1-1.
Senior
Lauren Seneca's one-out single to center field started things for the Falcons, but it was heads-up baserunning and an errant throw by Alvernia's catcher that eventually allowed her to score.
Sophomore
Sarah Seneca followed her sister with a bunt to third base that she legged out for a single. With freshman
Nicole Blantz in the batter's box, Alvernia's catcher sent a wild throw back to her pitcher that tipped off of the glove and rolled toward second base. As the Crusader's hustled to retrieve the ball, S. Seneca took off for third before anyone knew what happened.
With runner's on first and third and only one out, Messiah was in prime position to strike. In the next play, S. Seneca broke for second in what looked to be a steal attempt, but put on the brakes as the Crusaders' catcher threw down to second base, allowing L. Seneca to cross the plate with ease.
Key hits and aggressive base running led to the Falcons scoring their go-ahead run in the fifth inning. L. Seneca reached on a fielder's choice and ended up on third after S. Seneca doubled to center field. With runners in scoring position, a passed ball from Alvernia's ace - freshman Brittanie Wolfe (19-5) -, gave the Falcons the perfect opportunity to take the lead 2-1.
"We got some breaks in this game, but our base running really made the difference," head coach
Amy Weaver said. "Alvernia is a good team who hits the ball well. We took advantage of their mistakes and [Jaclyn] Merkel's homerun was the icing on the cake that we needed."
In the bottom of the sixth, Merkel gave the Falcons the two-run lead when she blasted the ball well over the left center fence for her third homerun of the season.
With the win, Messiah remains the only undefeated team after the first day of play in the double-elimination tournament. They will return to action tomorrow to defend their title in the championship game, which is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
For additional championship information and the tournament schedule,
click here.
