Selinsgrove, PA – The No. 22 Messiah College Falcons (19-2) used a five-run second inning to cruise past the Crusaders of Susquehanna University (13-7) in Game One of Saturday's doubleheader. Messiah carried their offensive momentum into Game Two, collecting 12 hits for the 8-0 victory in just five innings.

Several different Falcons had banner performances that helped the Falcons sweep Susquehanna, most notably, Brooke Pompeo went 3-for-7 on the day with two RBI and two runs scored to become the eighth player in program history to tally 100 career runs.
 
Game One: Messiah 8, Susquehanna 1
Becky Notte delivered the Falcons first two runs of the game with a single to right field. Both Carrie Fix and Courtney Allen scored on the play, giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead after just a half inning.
 
The Crusaders responded in the bottom of the frame with a leadoff triple, but Allen retired the next three batters without allowing a hit.
 
The Falcons punched five more runs across the plate in the top of the second. With runners on second and third, Shannon Denny slapped the ball to the Crusaders' shortstop, allowing Erin Cressman to score from third with ease. Carrie Fix delivered the next two runs for the Falcons on a deep fly ball that made its way to the center field fence. The wind carried the ball over the centerfielder's head, resulting in Fix's sixth double of the year. In the next at-bat, Brooke Pompeo drove the ball into the right center gap for a triple, scoring Fix in the process. Pompeo later scored on a sacrifice fly by Courtney Allen.
 
When all was said and done, the Falcons held a sizeable 7-0 lead over the Crusaders.
 
Susquehanna chipped away at their deficit in the bottom of the second, scoring one run on three hits. With runners on first and second, Brooke Kohler sent a looper into center field that forced Messiah's Amber Bingaman to attempt a diving catch. Despite her effort, Binagman was unable to make the play, resulting in the lone run crossing the plate for the Crusaders.
 
The Falcons extended their lead in the top of the fourth, posting a single run on two hits. Fix (double) and Pompeo (RBI single) delivered the 1-2 punch once again for the Falcons, giving their team the 8-1 advantage.
 
That score would hold through the remainder of the game, despite the many opportunities that the Crusaders had to break the game open. In the bottom of the fourth and the fifth, Susquehanna had bases loaded with two outs or less but couldn't deliver the necessary runs to get back in the game.
 
In the fourth, Allen gave up two walks and a single to load the bases but, worked her way out of the jam getting the final batter to pop up and end the inning.
 
In similar fashion, the Crusaders loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth after a single, a hit by pitch, and a walk. Just when you thought Allen may have been losing her stuff, she came back with gusto, getting the second out on a pop up to short and then struck out the next batter for the final out of the inning.
 
Allen ended the game allowing just one run on seven hits, yet walked a season-high six batters. She did, however, record her second highest number of strikeouts this season with seven. With the win, Allen picks up her 10^th victory and remains undefeated on the year.
 
Offensively the Falcons were led by Fix and Pompeo who each went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Allen and Notte also were credited with RBI in Game One.
 
Game Two: Messiah 8, Susquehanna 0 (5 innings)
The Falcons wasted no time scoring in Game Two, posting three runs on four hits in the very first inning.
 
Carrie Fix got things going with a lead off double then advanced to second on a slap from Brooke Pompeo. The Crusaders were unable to field the bunt, resulting in Pompeo being safe at first. In the next at-bat Courtney Allen dropped in a looper between the pitcher and second to load the bases for the Falcons. The Crusaders' defense held strong and fended off the next two batters, forcing the ball to stay in the infield and made two consecutive plays at the plate.
 
The Falcons eventually broke through on a two-run single from Erin Cressman and an RBI single by Amber Bingaman to take the 3-0 lead.
 
In the top of the third, the Falcons added to their advantage scoring two runs on three hits.
 
A double from Allen followed by a single from Becky Notte put runners in scoring position for the Falcons. Amanda Jones delivered a long fly ball to left center that allowed Allen to tag-up and score, while Notte moved on to third. In the next at-bat Erin Cressman singled to left field, scoring Notte to bring the Falcons' lead to five runs.
 
The Crusaders' best opportunity to score came in the bottom of the third when they had runners on first and second with one out. The Falcon's starter, Carrie Fix, remained poised on the mound, getting the second out via a line drive to Amanda Jones at short then ended the inning with a fly out to right field.
 
The Falcons broke the game open in the top of the fourth, scoring three more runs on four hits to take a commanding 8-0 lead. Haylee Anders (triple), Fix (double), Pompeo (single), and Allen (single) each picked up hits in the frame with RBI going to Fix (one) and Allen (two).
 
Madelyn Yannetti took over on the mound for the Falcons in the bottom of the fourth, replacing Fix for the remainder of the game. Yannetti worked her magic, retiring six of seven batters faced to seal the 8-0 victory in just five innings. This was the Falcons' fifth mercy rule win of the season and Fix's (7-1) second shutout.
 
Fix also had a tremendous day offensively. She led the Falcons in Game Two going 3-for-4 with three doubles, a per-game season high, and one RBI. On the day, Fix hit .714 (5-for-7) with five doubles and three RBI.
 
Courtney Allen and Erin Cressman also added offensive power to Game Two. Allen had three hits in three at-bats, two RBI, and two runs scored, while Cressman was a solid 2-for-3 with three RBI.
 
The Falcons return to MAC Commonwealth play next Thursday when they travel to Lycoming College. The double header is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.