PLANT CITY, Fl. - The Falcons opened up their spring break trip with a pair of tough losses against New York University (11-6) and Stevens Institute (2-0). In their first game, Messiah held a 5-1 lead over NYU but a big sixth inning from the Violets downed the Falcons 11-6. Messiah capped off their second game down south with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Stevens Ducks.

The Falcons will be back in action on Monday with another set of games against NYU and Stevens. Messiah will start with Stevens at 11:00 a.m. before taking on the Violets at 1:15 p.m.

NYU defeats Messiah 11-6
The Falcons got the scoring in the top of the second inning after Isabel Seise hit a single to second base. Jordan Bailey pinch ran for Seise and advanced to second after Karlee Stocksdale reached on a throwing error by the pitcher. Ashley Carroll reached on a fielder's choice that moved Bailey to third. Bailey then scored as Carroll was caught stealing at second base.

NYU responded to the Falcons lone run in the bottom of the third inning with a double to center field that brought home a runner from first base to bring the game to 1-1. 

Messiah regained the lead in the top of the fourth. McKenzie Tebbs opened up the inning with a double to left center and scored after a bunt from Kara Birosak singled with a bunt, giving Messiah a 2-1 lead. The Falcons increased their lead after Karlee Stocksdale hit an RBI double to left center to bring Birosak home and give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. 

In the top of the fifth inning, the Falcons added two more runs after a two RBI double from Kara Birosak brought home McKenzie Tebbs and Rianna Trexler. Messiah added one more run in the top of the sixth after Rianna Trexler hit an RBI single to left center to bring Karlee Stocksdale home, giving the Falcons a 6-1 lead.

After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, the Violets rallied with nine hits to score 10 runs in the sixth, taking an 11-6 lead over the Falcons. The NYU run was highlighted by a three-run home run that gave the Violets an 8-6 lead. 

In the top of the seventh, the Falcons had two runners on after McKenzie Tebbs and Kara Birosak both got walked. Isabel Seise hit into a double play before Karlee Stocksdale grounded out to short stop, ending the game 11-6 in favor of NYU.

Stevens defeats Messiah 2-0
The Falcons fell behind early in their second game of the day against the Stevens Ducks. Stevens hit a single to start to top of the first inning then had a batter reach on an error, putting on runner on first and one on third. After an RBI sacrifice fly ball to center field, the Ducks were up by one and added another one with an RBI ground out. The Falcons went hitless in the bottom of the first and second and stranded one runner in the bottom of the third.

The Falcons best opportunity to fight back into the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rianna Trexler opened up the inning with a single and McKenzie Tebbs followed by getting walked. Jaelynn Harbold moved the runners to second and third but was out at first. Kara Birosak was hit by the pitch, giving the Falcons a bases loaded situation with one out. Isabel Seise struck out looking and Karlee Stocksdale struck out swinging, ending the inning with three runners left on base.

Messiah started the bottom of the fifth with a single from Emily Albanese. Later Haylee Anders hit a single to advance Albanese to second but Albanese was thrown out at third after going for the extra base. Rianna Trexler hit a fly ball to the second basemen, ending the game 2-0 in favor of the Ducks.