York, PA - Messiah College split a non-conference double header with the Spartans (18-10) of York College (Pa.) on Wednesday. The Falcons won Game One 3-0 before dropping Game Two 3-1, with all four runs of the second game being scored in the first inning.

Game One

The Falcons (16-7) outhit the Spartans 10-6 in the first game of the double header with eight different players contributing to the tally.

Carrie Fix, who leads the team in slugging percentage (.821) went 2-4 with a triple and a double, while Emily Quatrale (1-3) also hit for power in Game One, picking up her first triple of the season. Courtney Allen (2-4) and Amber Bingaman (1-3) added doubles, with Allen and Nicole Blantz getting the RBI.

Despite their powerful hitting, the Falcons scored all three of their runs due to the success of their small game.

In the first, Fix led off with a double to center, then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brooke Pompeo. In the next at-bat Allen drove her in on a single to short.

The same held true in the fifth when Fix delivered a one-out triple to right center. Pompeo came through once again, this time with a picture-perfect bunt that she considered extending into more than just a hit. On her attempted advance, the Spartans took the bait and made a play on Pompeo which allowed Fix to cross the plate for the 2-0 lead.

The Falcons added their third and final run in the sixth when Amanda Jones and Blantz took a page out of Fix and Pompeo's book. For this go-around, Jones took advantage of a Spartan fielding error to become the Falcons' first baserunner of the inning. She extended her good fortune when she stole second then made her way home on yet another sacrifice bunt, this time by Blantz.

Messiah's precise play wasn't just limited to the offense in Game One, though. Starter Claressa Mees (8-3) stood tall in the pitcher's circle, striking out six all while allowing just six hits and one walk for her third shutout of the season.

Game Two

Offensive opportunities were limited to the start and the finish of Game Two with both teams seeing the fruits of their labors come through in the very first inning.

The Falcons posted their sole run in the top of the first when Fix singled to left field then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Pompeo. After Allen's flyout to centerfield failed to advance Fix any further, Becky Notte delivered the RBI single to give Messiah the early 1-0 lead.

The Spartans responded with force in the bottom of the frame to score three runs on three hits. Much like the Falcons, the Spartans started with a single and a sacrifice bunt that moved their leadoff into scoring position. After a groundout became the Spartans' second out, the four and five hitters delivered the knockout blow.

With two outs and a runner on second, Ashley Lechner hit an RBI single down the right field line then was followed by a two-run homerun from Carleigh Ruleman; putting the Spartans ahead 3-1.

Their efforts proved to be enough as neither team was able to push additional runs across the plate for the rest of the game.

The Falcons did create numerous scoring opportunities throughout the remaining six innings, yet failed to convert when they needed it the most. Pompeo (2-3) and Blantz (1-3) each hit two-out doubles in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, but the Falcons couldn't turn their efforts into much-needed runs.

York also had their fair share of opportunities to plate more runs, but Fix and the Falcons' defense held strong; thwarting any attempted offensive push. Fix (6-4) ended the game with three strikeouts and one walk while giving up three runs on seven hits.

The Falcons return to action on Friday when they host another non-conference opponent, Elizabethtown College. The double header will begin at 3:30 p.m.