Commonwealth Conference Championships Info.

Grantham, PA - The Messiah College Falcons claimed the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Commonwealth Conference tournament with a sweep of Widener University Saturday.

In two very different games, the Falcons got it done to finish the regular season with an undefeated 16-0 Conference record.

Carrie Fix had the highlight of the day, a walkoff homerun in Game Two, to give Messiah the sweep.

Game One - Widener 0, Messiah 13 (5 innings)

After posting a single run in the second inning, the Falcons (30-7, 16-0) got the best of Widener's ace, Alexis Schengrund (11-2) in the third; hitting through the lineup to take a solid 9-0 lead over the Pride (22-6, 12-4). Messiah scored eight runs on eight hits in the early goings with key knocks coming from Amanda Jones and Katie Tankred.

Jones and Tankred combined to go 5-6 with seven RBI's in Game One, while Brooke Pompeo was a perfect 4-4 at the plate.

The Falcons tacked on four more runs in the fourth to put the game out of reach.

Amber Bingaman touched them all when she hit a shot over the left field foul pole for her third round-tripper of the year and the first run of the inning. She was later followed by a bases clearing triple from Jones that gave the Falcons the 13-0 advantage.

The Pride had their chances, however, putting runners on base each inning. Despite their opportunities Widener failed to push any runs across the plate, leaving seven runners on base.

Messiah's ace, Claressa Mees, held strong throughout the mercy rule victory, throwing four shutout innings for her third shutout in-a-row. With the win, she moved to 15-3 on the season.
 
Game Two - Widener 5, Messiah 6 (10 innings)

RBI doubles from Becky Notte and Jones helped the Falcons to a 3-0 lead after three innings of play in the last regular season game for the Falcons.

But their lead wouldn't last.

The Pride fought back to claim the 4-3 advantage in the top of the sixth, plating three runs on three hits and a walk. Their offensive flurry forced the Falcons to make a pitching change. Allen relinquished her spot after giving up four runs on seven hits through 5.2 innings. She walked two and struckout seven.

Carrie Fix closed out the top of the frame from the mound, giving new life to the Falcons.

Messiah pulled even at 4-4 in the bottom of the inning when Becky Notte smoked the ball to Widener's third baseman. The fielder couldn't handle it, resulting in an error and the equalizing run.

After a scoreless seventh, the teams played two extra innings of scoreless softball before entering the international tie-breaker. In the 10th inning, both teams start with a runner on second to all-but guarantee that runs will score and a winner will be crowned.

The Pride delivered a single run in the top of the 10th, taking the 5-4 advantage. Their run came after the Falcons failed to make a play on the lead-off bunt then was followed by a sacrifice fly that got the job done for Widener.

The Falcons quickly equalized after Bingaman, who started on second, moved to third on a passed ball. Moments later, she crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Tankred.

With the score knotted at 5-5 and two outs on the board, Carrie Fix sealed the victory with a walkoff homerun to left center, her fifth dinger of the season.

FIx joined four other Falcons who had multi-hit games. Notte (3-5) led the charge with three doubles and two RBI, while Jones, Fix, and Bingaman each picked up doubles in the 10-inning finale.

Fix (8-4) earned the win after giving up just one run on one hit against two walks and one strikeout. She faced 17 batters in 4.1 innings.

With the wins, the Falcons finish the regular season with a perfect 16-0 Commonwealth Conference record and claim the No.1 seed in next weekend's Commonwealth Championship tournament. The Falcons will play the winner of No.4 Lebanon Valley College vs. No.5 Alvernia University. Their opening game will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1 with all games being played at Lebanon Valley College.

More information came be found on the Commonwealth Conference Championships homepage.