NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Messiah softball team was defeated by Gettysburg College 11-4 on Saturday and was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. After falling behind 3-1, Messiah put together a big rally in the fifth inning and took the lead 4-3. However, in the sixth inning the Bullets came from behind to score eight runs and take a 11-4 lead. The Falcons were unable to answer in the seventh and suffered the loss to end their season.

Gettysburg scored a run early in the first inning and then added two more in the third as Messiah struggled a little offensively. However, they scored a run in the fourth inning as Madelyn Yannetti knocked in a RBI to cut the lead 3-1. Then in the fifth they added more to their total starting the inning off with a walk and single by Samantha Esper to force a pitching change. Haylee Anders stepped up and although she grounded out to second a run scored on the play. Carrie Fix then hit a two-run homer to put Messiah ahead 4-3.

The Falcons kept the momentum up until the bottom of the sixth when the Bullets busted it open scoring eight runs to regain the lead 11-4. Messiah was forced to make three pitching changes and defensively struggled committing three errors in the inning. Heading into the seventh the Falcons needed a big rally to come from behind and even though they managed to get two hits, the Bullets retired the side to win the game 11-4.

Sophomore second baseman Samantha Esper was named to the All-Regional Team on Sunday.

This season, Messiah captured the MAC Commonwealth title to earn their 12th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. They finish with an overall record of 27-18 on the year.