Grantham, PA - The No. 10 Messiah softball swept Susquehanna University this evening winning 6-1 in the first game and 3-0 in the second game. Amanda Jones was 3-6 on the day with a run scored and an RBI, while Samantha Esper was 2-6 with a run scored and two RBI's. Sydney Boreman went 2-3 in the second game with two RBI's.

Carrie Fix earned the win in game one and improved to 8-2 overall on the season. Madelyn Yannetti (10-1) threw well in the second game picking up the win.

Defense was very solid for Messiah in the second game; most notably Amanda Jones put forth a strong performance and gloved everything that came in her direction.

The Falcons improved to 21-4 on the year with the wins and travel to Arcadia University this Saturday for two games. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
Game One: Messiah 6, Susquehanna 1
Susquehanna scored first when Emilie Boman ripped a home run to center field but that would be all the runs the River Hawks would muster. It didn't take long for Messiah to get that run back and they scored two runs in the bottom of the first when Samantha Esper started things with a one-out single. Amanda Jones laid down a bunt single, advancing Esper to second. With runners at first and second, Erin Cressman hit a single to center field and Esper scored on the play.
 
With Jones on third and Cressman at second, Amber Bingaman hit a line shot to center field that was caught but Jones tagged up and scored giving the Falcons the 2-1 lead. Susquehanna had runners in scoring position in the second inning but Fix was able to work out of the inning unscathed.
 
The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the fourth when Messiah added three more runs to extend their lead 5-1. McKenzie Tebbs drew a one out walk and then with two outs Haylee Anders hit a single, advancing Tebbs to second. Shannon Denny then reached on an error by the center fielder, with Anders advancing to third, and Tebbs scoring on the play.
 
With runners at second and third, Carrie Fix drew a walk to load the bases. Esper then delivered a big single to left field that scored both Anders and Denny to put Messiah up 5-1 after four innings.
 
In the bottom of the fifth Messiah had an opportunity to score when Erin Cressman walked, Amber Bingaman doubled to left field, and McKenzie Tebbs reached on a bunt single. However, the next three batters were retired for the Falcons leaving the bases loaded.
 
The Falcons did add a run in the bottom of the sixth, Carrie Fix started things with a double to left field and then later scored on a single by Amanda Jones to make the score 6-1. Jaelynn Harbold entered in the bottom of the seventh to finish the game and did just that to help Messiah to victory.
 
Game Two: Messiah 3, Susquehanna 0
After three innings of scoreless play, the Falcons were able to push some runs across in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Samantha Esper reached base on an error by the third baseman to start things off for Messiah. Ashley Carroll entered to pinch run for Esper and stole second to get into scoring position. With two outs, Amber Bingaman hit  a single to left field to put Messiah on the board.
 
McKenzie Tebbs then hit a single and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Sydney Boreman stepped up to the plate and delivered a single scoring Bingaman and Tebbs to extend the lead 3-0.
 
In the top of the fifth inning, Susquehanna had an opportunity to score with two runners on base and one out but Madelyn Yannetti stayed tough in the circle and forced a line out to first base and a ground out to end the threat.
 
Heading into the seventh inning the Falcons still had a 3-0 lead over Susquehanna and Yannetti finished the game strong retiring all three batters and improving to 10-1 on the season.