GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah softball team earned a sweep over Alvernia University today winning 4-2 and then 1-0 in the second game. Carrie Fix led the team going 3-7 with three RBI's and a run scored while Angie Stephano went 2-2 in the second game. Erin Cressman earned three walks on the day bringing her season total to 23 which is just eight shy of the season walks record of 31. Madelyn Yannetti picked up the win in game one while Joy Kolakowski won game two and they helped Messiah improve to 13-11 overall and 6-0 in the MAC Commonwealth.

The Falcons have a quick turnaround and are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Widener University for a double header beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Game One: Messiah 4, Alvernia 2
Messiah scored first putting up two runs in the second inning when Isabel Seise got the inning going with a single to second base. After pinch runner Morgan Zimmerman was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Angie Stephano, Madelyn Yannetti drew a walk and then Nicole Kreimer reached on a fielder's choice but Zimmerman was thrown out at third on the play. Samantha Esper stepped to the plate and sinlged up the middle to load the bases and then Carrie Fix delivered a big double bringing home two runs.

The Falcons added another run in the third inning when Amber Bingaman singled and then Erin Cressman moved her to second with sacrifice bunt. After Bingaman stole third, Seise grounded out but then Stephano hit a sinlge to right field to put Messiah up 3-0. Carrie Fix delivered again in the fourth inning with an RBI single adding another run to the total. The next opportunity to score came in the fifth inning when the offense strung a couple hits together but the Alvernia defense managed to get out of the inning as Messiah left three runners on base.

The Golden Wolves started a comeback in the sixth inning when Morgan Psiuk hit a double and then after advancing to third on a sac bunt was brought home on a single by Emily Carmella. Then with a runner in scoring position, JoAnnah Lim hit a double to left field bringing in a run and cutting the Messiah lead down 4-2. Pitcher Madelyn Yannetti stay composed and retired the next two batters with the help of defense behind her particularly Carrie Fix who made two nice plays at shortstop.

Heading into the top of the seventh with the Messiah still leading 4-2, Alvernia got a runner on base but the defense retired the final two batters en route to the game one victory.

Game Two: Messiah 1, Alvernia 0
Hits were hard to come by in game two as starting pitcher Joy Kolakowski for Messiah and Riley Shields of Alvernia both threw a strong game in the circle. The Falcons scored right away in the first inning when Carrie Fix started the game with a single and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Haylee Anders. Fix moved to third on a passed ball with Erin Cressman up to bat who earned a walk. Isabel Seise stepped up to the plate and delivered a single brining home the only run of the game as Messiah went up 1-0.

The Golden Wolves best chance to score came in the sixth inning when Sarah Bystrycki ripped a triple down the right field line with one out. Messiah's defense made an error on the next play and then Bernadette Carey stole second to get into scoring position. With the tying run on third and go-ahead on second, pitcher Joy Kolakowski stayed strong in the circle as the next batter lined out to right field and Nicle Kreimer made a nice play as the runner on third held up. Kolakowski retired the next batter by way of a strike out to end the inning.

Messiah got a runner on base in the bottom of the sixth, looking to add an insurance run, but they were retired by the Alvernia defesne and headed to the final inning with the 1-0 lead. Kolakowski and the defense made quick work of Alvernia as the side was retired three up, three down and earned the double header sweep.