Clermont, FL – The Messiah softball team defeated the Royals of Bethel College 17-2 in their first game of their spring break trip. Amanda Jones went 3-4 at the plate, knocked in four RBI's and scored two runs, while Samantha Esper also was 3-4 with one RBI and a run scored. McKenzie Tebbs finished 2-3 with two RBI's and two runs scored.
 
Carrie Fix started the game but was relieved early by Samantha Fouracre (2-0) who pitched 4.1 innings, allowed just three hits, and struck out three batters.
 
The Falcons gave up two runs in the top of the first when Jana Roste hit a two-run home run to give the Royals an early 2-0 lead. However, Messiah responded with a five-run first inning to take the lead 5-2.
 
Carrie Fix drew a walk to start of the inning and then with one out Amanda Jones singled advancing Fix to second. Erin Cressman walked to load the bases and then Amber Bingaman reached on an error, scoring Fix. Next up to the plate was Sydney Boreman who was hit by a pitch and Jones scored.
 
McKenzie Tebbs singled to score Cresssman and then Emily Quatrale reached on a fielder's choice scoring Bingaman for the RBI.
 
Messiah added another run in the bottom of the second when Carrie Fix reached based on a hit by pitch and then Samantha Esper singled to score Fix giving the Falcons a 6-2 advantage.
 
Sydney Boreman got things started in the bottom of the third with a double and then Mckenzie Tebbs reached on an error by the third baseman. Emil Quatrale stepped up to the plate, reached base on an error scoring Ashley Carroll who pitch ran for Boreman. With the bases loaded Fix hit a sacrifice fly to center field which scored Tebbs and then Jones singled with Haylee Anders scoring on the play.
 
The Royals had a chance to push runs across in the top of the fourth but were unsuccessful leaving two runners on base. Heading into the bottom of the fourth with a 9-2 lead, the Falcons tacked on eight more runs and Bethel was unable to score in the top of the fifth resulting in a fifth-inning mercy rule.
 
Overall Messiah pounded out 14 hits and did not commit any errors on defense.
 
They next play on Monday morning against FDU-Florham at 8:00 a.m. and then finish the day with Stockton University at 10:30 a.m.