Clermont, FL – While winter storm Stella swept through Pennsylvania, the Messiah softball team was still enjoying the sunny weather, picking up two more wins on their spring break trip. The Falcons defeated Bethel College, in a second match up, 7-4 and then finished Tuesday night with an extra inning win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 4-3. Erin Cressman and Amber Bingaman were both 2-4 in the RPI game, combining for two runs, and three RBI's between them. Carrie Fix started in the circle for the Falcons giving up two runs off eight hits, while Madelyn Yannetti (4-1) entered late in the game to finish it off and earn the win.
 
Messiah improved to 9-2 with the wins yesterday and have today off before returning to the field tomorrow for their final two games of the spring break trip. They play Illinois Wesleyan University at 1:30 p.m. and finish the day with Trine University at 3:45 p.m.
 
Game One: Messiah 7, Bethel 4
After a scoreless first inning, Bethel managed to push a run across first in the top of the second to take a 1-0 lead. Messiah responded with Amber Bingaman starting off the offense with a one out single. She advanced to second on a ground out and then stole third. Emily Quatrale hit a ball to the shortstop, who committed an error, thus allowing Bingaman to score on the play and tie it up 1-1.
 
The Royals added another run in the second when Jana Roste hit a home run. Carrie Fix started things off in the bottom half of the inning with a single and then stole second to get into scoring position. Amanda Jones was the next batter and reached on a fielder's choice and then with two outs she stole second base. Erin Cressman hit a double that scored Jones to once again tie the score.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Falcons busted out four runs off three hits to take a 5-2 lead. Carrie Fix ripped a triple that scored two of the three runs and then she scored on a passed ball. The Royals got one run back in the fifth when Mairah Uphof hit an RBI single to score Erika Schwar cutting the lead down 5-3.
 
Messiah added some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth when Amber Bingaman tallied her third hit of the day to start the inning. She stole second and was brought home by McKenzie Tebbs, who hit a single and was advanced to second on a SAC bunt by Emily Quatrale. Fix sinlged to score Tebbs, and made it to third but was left stranded.
 
Bethel made some noise in the seventh inning adding one more run but Sam Fouracre (3-0) was able to retire the side helping Messiah to the 7-4 victory and earn her third win of the season.


Game Two: Messiah 4, RPI 3
Messiah got off to an early start scoring a run in the first inning of play. Carrie Fix doubled down the left field line and with one out Amanda Jones laid down a bunt single with Fix scoring from second on the play. The Engineers got two runners on base with two hits, but were unable to push a run across.
 
After a scoreless second inning, RPI tied the game up at one in the bottom of the third when Stephanie Caudle hit a single to score Victoria Greco who singled to start off the inning. The Falcons had an opportunity in the fifth to score more runs when McKenzie Tebbs hit a single to right center, advancing to second on a SAC bunt by Emily Quatrale. With two outs, Carrie Fix walked and then Ashley Carroll reached on an error to load the bases, but the next batter was retired leaving three runners stranded.
 
However, in the top of the sixth Amber Bingaman hit a shot to left center that cleared the fence giving Messiah a 2-1 lead. The Falcons held that advantage into the bottom of the seventh, needing just three outs to finish the game. With one out, Rebecca Kienz doubled down the left field line and then Greco doubled to center field, scoring Kienz and tying the game at two. Madelyn Yannetti entered the game to pitch for Fix and helped Messiah get out of the inning without any more damage.
 
In the top of the eighth, the international rule was enforced so Amanda Jones was placed at second base. It didn't take long for the Falcons to score as Erin Cressman ripped a double to left field scoring Jones and giving Messiah the 3-2 lead. Cressman advanced to third on a passed ball and then Amber Bingaman single through the right side adding an insurance run for the Falcons.
 
With the score 4-2 heading into the bottom half of the inning, Cam Caswell started at second base for RPI and eventually scored on a RBI ground out to second base. Madelyn Yannetti finished strong for Messiah forcing a ground out to end the game and earn the win.