XML Box Score Reading, PA - The Falcons unleashed an offensive assault Friday afternoon in their first game of the Commonwealth Tournament. In one of their most prolific offensive efforts, Messiah claimed the 11-1 win over No. 5 Arcadia University in only five innings of play. The Knights, who beat No. 4 Alvernia University 5-2 in the 10 a.m. game, didn't know what hit them; literally. The Falcons strung together 16 hits and scored 11 runs in their post-season debut.Â
After a scoreless first inning, the Falcons unloaded nine hits (all singles) in the bottom of the second and took a commanding 8-0 lead.
Nicole Blantz got things going when she layed down a brilliant bunt and easily beat out the play for a hit. She was followed by a single from
Katie Tankred and then found her way home on a single to left field by
Emily Quatrale. In the next at-bat
Tina Lehman ripped a shot directly to the glove of Alvernia's third baseman, but it was too hot to handle; resulting in a bases-loaded situation for the Falcons.
Amanda Jones came through for her team with a single through the left side, plating two more runs to give Messiah the 3-0 lead and force a pitching change.
Katherine Ghyzel replaced Alvernia's starter Sara Gunia, but the Falcons had her number as well and became even more aggressive on the bases. After a double steal led to a throwing error by the Knights' catcher and a subsequent run,
Courtney Allen's RBI single kept things going for the Falcons. Allen later stole second and moved to third on a ground-out by
Becky Notte. In the next at-bat (her second of the inning),
Krista Ammon drew a walk and then moved to second on a wild pitch. Allen was able to score on the misfire. Blantz knocked in the final run of the inning with a single through the left side, scoring Ammon and giving the Falcons the 8-0 lead.
Messiah continued to make solid contact and put the ball into play in the third, adding two more tallies.
Brooke Pompeo got things going with a double down the left field line then was followed up by Jones's RBI single. Jones extended her single into a double on the attempt on Pompeo at home then found her way to third on a throwing error by the Knights' left fielder. Allen picked up her second RBI in the next at-bat when she singled to left field, extending Messiah's lead to 10 and forcing yet another pitching change.
Megan Roynan entered the game late in the inning and got some much-needed back-up from her defense. The Knights caught Allen attempting to steal second for their second out and after a single by
Becky Notte, Roynan got Ammon to fly out to center for the final out of the inning.
The Knights' sole run and their only hits of the game came in the top of the fourth on back-to-back doubles by Sara Boyadjis and Jessica Wood.
With their lead now at nine, the Falcons needed to score one more run to carry a 10-run advantage into the fifth. If they were able to score and maintain that lead, the game would end after five innings.Â
And they did just that.
In the bottom of the fourth the Falcons scored one run on two hits then went on to hold the Knights scoreless in the top of the fifth, claiming the abbreviated win 11-1.
Right-hander
Mallory Rutledge got the win for Messiah and moved to 14-5 on the season. In four innings of work she gave up one run on two hits and struck out two.
Sara McKee came into the game in relief in the top of the fifth, retiring three of four batters faced while giving up one walk.
On a day when the bats were buzzing, three different Falcons had three-hit games.
Brooke Pompeo and
Amanda Jones each went 3-for-4, while
Katie Tankred was 3-for-3. Jones led the team with three RBI and Pompeo, Allen and Blantz each drove in two runs a-piece.
The Falcons move on to play No. 2 Lebanon Valley College at 11 a.m. tomorrow. The Dutchmen earned the right to play after taking down No. 3 Widener University 4-2 earlier in the day.
