NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Messiah softball team was defeated by No. 11 Christopher Newport University in their opening game of the NCAA Tournament. Although Messiah held two leads during the game, the Captain offense proved to be too much as they racked up 14 total hits against the Falcons' pitching staff. Offensively Messiah had six hits in the game and
Haylee Anders led the team going 2-3 with all three RBI's. Pitcher
Joy Kolakowski (11-5) suffered the loss giving up six runs across two innings pitched.
The Falcons are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they take on the loser of game two between No. Virginia Wesleyan and Gettysburg College. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
With two outs in the first inning
Haylee Anders stepped up to the plate and hit a first-pitch home run to left center putting Messiah up 1-0 early. After a solid inning by
Joy Kolakowski in the first inning of play, Christopher Newport made some noise in the bottom of the second when a single got their offense going. Base runner Grace Wild stole second and it appeared was thrown out on the play, but the umpire determined that shortstop
Carrie Fix was obstructing the base so Wild was awarded second base and two batters later scored to tie the game. The bases were loaded with two outs when a misplayed pop fly in the infield allowed another run to score but
Erin Cressman picked up the ball and threw out the runner attempting to score from second out at home as the Falcons trailed 2-1 after two innings.
Messiah responded in the top of the third by scoring two runs to regain the lead, Anders again came through hitting an RBI double to right field. In the bottom of the inning, Kolakowski struggled giving up a leadoff home run and then a few more hits to load the bases.
Madelyn Yannetti entered in a tough spot for relief and with the scored tied 3-3 a walk and two-RBI single allowed the Captains to take a 6-3 advantage. Christopher Newport decided to bring in ace Aubrey Bates to pitch and the Falcons struggled to get hits in the final two innings.
After adding another run in the fourth, Christopher Newport broke it open in the fifth as they scored two more runs off Yannetti, forcing another pitching change for the Falcons as
Tiffany White entered the game. With the score 9-3, Patty Maye Ohanian knocked a grand slam to center field, thus enforcing the eight-run mercy rule as Messiah was defeated 13-3.
