Kissimee, FL – The No. 7 Messiah softball team defeated Illinois Wesleyan earlier this evening in a close game 5-4. Carrie Fix had a great offensive showing going 3-4 with a run scord and an RBI. Amanda Jones, Erin Cressman, and Amber Bingaman drove in one run apiece and Madelyn Yannetti (5-1) picked up her fifth win of the year.
 
The Titans scored in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. That would remain the score until later in the third inning when Illinois Wesleyan added another run increasing the lead 2-0. The Falcons struggling offensively until the fifth inning when they broke it open for five runs to take a 5-2 advantage.
 
Kyra Bond got things started with a single to center field and then Ashley Carroll laid down a bunt single. With runners at first and second, Carrie Fix doubled to left field scoring Bond on the play. The next batter, Samantha Esper, reached on a error by the second baseman, and Carroll scored to tie the game 2-2. Amanda Jones stepped up to the plate and delivered a single that scored Fix, and Esper then scored on an RBI ground out by Erin Cressman. To round out the offensively packed inning, Jones scored on an RBI ground out by Amber Bingaman giving Messiah the 5-2 lead.
 
After a scoreless sixth, the Titans made some noise in the seventh inning adding two more runs but Madelyn Yannetti stayed strong and retired the side earning her fifth win of the season.
 
Game Two: Messiah 1, Trine 3
The final game of the Messiah softball team's spring break trip proved to be a tough one as the fell to Trine University 3-1. A very defensive game, hits were hard to come by for each team as Messiah only had two and Trine four in the game.
 
The Falcons scored early in the bottom of the first, Samantha Esper hit a single to left field to start off the inning. She then stole second base and then with two outs Erin Cressman hit a double to left field scoring Esper.
 
Trine tied the game up in the top of the second when with the bases loaded Emily White drew a walk to score Kaylee Fox. The score remained tied at one until the top of the seventh, and neither team had opportunities to score before the final inning of play. The Thunder were able to put together four hits and score two runs to take a 3-1 lead.
 
The Falcons then went down in order in their half of the inning. Carrie Fix (2-2) picked up the loss and Messiah is now 10-3 on the year. They open up MAC Commonwealth play at home next Wednesday Mar. 22 against Albright College. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.