XML Box Score 1 |
XML Box Score 2 by Zac Hoy, GoMessiah.com reporterChester, PA – With the first seed in the upcoming Commonwealth playoffs in their sights, Messiah College swept their doubleheader versus Widener University, 8-1 and 4-2. By completing the sweep, the Falcons secured the number one seed in the playoffs that begin next weekend.
Game OneMessiah struck early in Game One, as
Nicole Blantz scored on
Brooke Pompeo's RBI single in the second inning to give the Falcons a 1-0. Widener would immediately respond however, as Jackie Korang tied the game at one with a solo homerun after two innings.
The Falcons answered right back in the top of the third, as
Nicole Blantz laid down a bunt that scored
Courtney Allen to put Messiah back up 2-1.
Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning, when the Falcons blew the game open. Messiah scored five runs in the inning on RBIs by
Becky Notte,
Krista Ammon (two), Blantz, and
Amanda Jones as the Falcons secured the victory.
Starting pitcher
Mallory Rutledge earned the victory for Messiah, improving to 13-5 on the season. Rutledge only allowed one run on the day, and struck out five.
Game TwoThe Falcons started the second game strong by scoring a run in the first inning. Notte singled to center field, with
Courtney Allen proceeding to score following an error. Yet again, the Pride responded quickly, scoring a run of their own in the first, tying the game at one.
Pitching and defense dominated most of the game, at least until the later innings.
Much like game one for the Falcons, the sixth inning proved to be the key inning. After a single by Notte, a walk by Blantz, and another single by
Katie Tankred,
Emily Quatrale stepped to the plate. The freshman came up big with the bases loaded, as she singled through the left side; Notte scored on the play and an error would also allow Blantz to score to help the Falcons regain the lead. Clareesa Mees then drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to put the lead at 4-1 in the middle of the sixth.
The Pride would not go away easily however. Ally Horvath homered to lead off the bottom of the seventh to bring Widener within two. The Pride immediately followed with single to begin the inning, but Clareesa Mees (12-2) retired the next three batters to end the game and secure the top seed in the Commonwealth playoffs.
The Falcons have now clinched the number one seed, surpassing Lebanon Valley College by way of a tie-breaker (one of LVC's losses was to Alvernia; Messiah swept the Crusaders). The playoffs will start at the end of the week.
