Reading, PA - The No. 7 Messiah softball team was eliminated from the MAC Commonwealth Tournament after falling to Widener University 9-6 this morning and then to Lebanon Valley 2-0 this afternoon. Offensively the Falcons struggled today as they compiled just nine hits across the two games. Amanda Jones led the team with two hits on the day and Samantha Esper had two RBI's. Carrie Fix (14-3) picked up the loss in game one while Madelyn Yannetti (16-4) suffered the loss in game two.

The Falcons are now 34-8 on the year and will find out tomorrow morning if they earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is set for 1:00 p.m.

Game One: Messiah 6, Widener 9
The Pride put pressure on the Falcons' defense early when they scored four runs in the first inning to take the lead. They scored four runs off two hits and one error by Messiah.
 
After adding another run in the second inning, Messiah pushed a few across to cut down the lead 5-4. McKenzie Tebbs and Emily Quatrale both walked to start the inning and then Sydney Boreman reached on a fielder's choice with Tebbs being thrown out at third on the play. With Shannon Denny up at the plate a throwing error by Widener's pitcher allowed Quatrale to score and Denny to reach base safely.
 
Both Boreman and Denny advanced on a wild pitch and two batters later with two outs, Samantha Esper reached on another error and two runs scored. Amanda Jones then hit a single and while she was thrown out trying to sneak an extra base, Esper was still able to score before the out and bring the Falcons within one run.
 
Widener again made some noise in the top of the fifth inning adding four runs to their total. Messiah only made one error in the inning but four hits by the Pride contributed to extending their lead 9-4.
 
The Falcons responded in the bottom half of the inning putting together a two-out rally to score two runs. Erin Cressman drew a walk and Tebbs reached on a single to third base. With two outs, Cressman stole third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Emily Quatrale then delivered a single through the left side to score Tebbs and cut the lead 9-6.
 
Heading into the seventh inning with Messiah still trailing 9-6 a rally was needed but unfortunately Ally Horvath finished strong in the circle for Widener and they went on to win the game.

Game Two: Messiah 0, Lebanon Valley 2
The Dutchmen scored early putting two runs on the board in the first inning and the Falcons struggled offensively as pitcher Maddie Abbot threw very well in the circle.
 
Messiah got their first base runner in the second inning when Sydney Boreman singled with two outs but the next batter was retired. Similarly in the next inning Madelyn Yannetti hit a single through the right side and was advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Shannon Denny. However, the next two batters went down in order leaving another runner stranded.
 
The next best opportunity for the Falcons to score came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Amanda Jones ripped a double to center field with two outs. Erin Cressman stepped up to the plate with the opportunity to put a run on the board or tie the game but she hit a fly ball out to right field that was caught. Messiah went down in order in the bottom of the seventh as Lebanon Valley went on to win 2-0.