XML Box Score 1 |
XML Box Score 2 Winchester, VA - The softball team took two games from Shenandoah University Thursday, moving to 17-5 overall. In game one, the Falcons (17-5) used a three-hit fourth inning to score their only runs of the game. Two errors by the Hornets (8-17) aided the Falcons' offensive efforts, giving Messiah the 3-1 victory. With the win, pitcher
Mallory Rutledge moved to 10-3 overall.
The Falcons were more productive offensively in game two, posting runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. After scoring a single run in the third, the Falcons breakout came in the fifth when they posted two runs off of four hits and an error. Messiah tacked on one more run in the sixth to complete the 4-1 victory. Pitcher
Claressa Mees went the distance for the Falcons, holding the Hornets to just one hit.
Game One The Falcons came out swinging in the opening game, getting runners on base in every inning but the first. Despite their efforts, they had a difficult time pushing those runners across the plate, leaving 10 runners stranded. This left the door wide open for the Hornets and they took advantage immediately.
In the bottom of the third, the Hornets loaded the bases with back-to-back singles and a walk. Fortunately for the Falcons, their defense came through. With bases juiced and only one out, Erica Kondzielwa singled through the right side to score the lead runner, but
Nicole Blantz made an excellent relay throw from right field to get the second out at the plate.
Mallory Rutledge shut the door with a strike out to end the inning and limit the Hornets to only one run.
The Falcons responded in the top of the fourth to score three runs on four hits. Katie Tankred, Krista Ammon, Tina Lehman, and Amanda Jones each got a hit, while two Hornet errors aided the Falcons' efforts. Emily Quatrale and Lehman picked up RBI's. The Falcons could have poured on a few more runs as they had bases loaded and only one out, but they failed to get the ball out of the infield; settling for just three runs in the inning.In the top of the seventh, the Falcons were on the verge of scoring additional runs after
Becky Notte's leadoff double was followed by a sacrifice bunt by Tankred. With Notte on third and only one out, the Falcons were ever so close, but they couldn't get it done. Ammon lined out to right field and Blantz closed out the inning with a ground out to short.
Fortunately for the Falcons, Rutledge didn't give the Hornets any opportunities to score in their last at-bats, as all three hitters flew out to the outfield to end the game and give the Falcons the 3-1 win.
In seven innings of work, Rutledge (10-3) gave up one run on seven hits. She struck out one and walked two.
Offensively
Katie Tankred (3-3) and
Amanda Jones (2-4) led the Falcons.
Game TwoThe Falcons went three up, three down in their first two offensive halves, but broke things open in the top of the third thanks to several miscues by the Hornets.
Nicole Blantz led off the inning and reached on an error, moved on to second because of another error, then found her way to third on a wild pitch. Another error, allowed Blantz to score the first run of the game.
The Hornets responded in the bottom half of the inning, turning a leadoff walk into the equalizing run. Ashlyn Drake was on the receiving end of the free ticket and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brittany Guepe. In the next at-bat, Kimberly Brady tripled to score Drake and knot things at 1-1.
This would be the only hit for the Hornets as pitcher
Claressa Mees buckled down throughout the rest of the game, not allowing a single runner to reach the base paths.
In the top of the fifth, the Falcons regained the lead by making solid contact and being aggressive on the bases. After
Tina Lehman flew out to left field to begin the inning, Jones,
Brooke Pompeo, and
Courtney Allen each singled then stole a base to put the Falcons ahead 2-1. Once again, a Hornet error helped the Falcons' cause, yet it was aggressive base running that made all of the difference.
The Falcons turned to their small game in the sixth inning, adding a single run to the scoreboard. Ammon, Blantz, and Quatrale made it look easy as Ammon led off with a single and was followed by a sacrifice bunt from Blantz. Ammon set the stage after she stole third and Quatrale delivered a ground ball to the right side of the field for the second out of the inning, but more importantly, the fourth and final run for the Falcons.
Seven different Falcons picked up hits in game two with Allen, Quatrale, and Lehman driving in single runs in the 4-1 victory.
With the one-hit win, Claressa Mees moves to 6-2 on the season.The Falcons return to Commonwealth Conference action on Saturday when they travel to Albright College. The double header is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
