GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah softball team scored two runs in the second and two more in the fifth en route to a 4-1 victory over the Lycoming Warriors in Game One of a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. Emily Albanese went the distance in the circle, allowing just one earned run on four hits and a walk. At the plate, Messiah collected three extra-base hits with Jaelynn Harbold leading the way with two RBI for the Falcons.

In Game Two of the Falcons' doubleheader with the Warriors, heavy bats from Messiah shut down Lycoming as the Falcons cruised to an 11-0 victory highlighted by a three-run homer from Erin Cressman in the fourth inning. An RBI double from Amanda Petersen and an RBI single from Karlee Stocksdale put the Falcons up 11-0 that would later force mercy rule and give Messiah the victory in five innings. 

Messiah Defeats Lycoming 4-1
Both teams started the first inning scoreless but the Falcons broke through in the bottom of the second. Erin Cressman started the inning off with a triple and brought home after an RBI single from Jaelynn Harbold. The Falcons took a 2-0 lead after a sacrifice fly from Ashley Carroll brought home another run.

Lycoming had an opportunity to battle back in the top of the fourth. The Warriors started the inning off with back to back singles to put two runners on. Both runners later stole to advance to third and second. A walk had the bases loaded with no outs. The Warriors hit into a fielder's choice but Messiah recorded the out at home. The next batter for the Warriors hit a ground out Erin Cressman but brought a run in to cut the Falcons' lead in half 2-1.

Messiah had strong bats in the bottom of the fourth inning but couldn't bring anyone home. Isabel Seise started the inning off with a double and Rianna Trexler hit a single to center. Samantha Fouracre reached first on a fielder's choice bunt while Seise was thrown out at third. A single from Ashley Carroll loaded the bases but a strike out and a fly out brought the inning to a close. 

The Falcons got things going again in the bottom of the fifth inning. McKenzie Tebbs started the inning with a long triple to the right field fence before Erin Cressman advanced and moved to second. Jaelynn Harbold reached on a fielder's choice ball that brought home Tebbs but was thrown out at second in the process. A sacrifice fly out from Isabel Seise brought home Cressman and gave the Falcons the 4-1 lead that would outlast the Warriros over the next two innings, giving the Falcons the 4-1 victory in Game One.

Messiah Defeats Lycoming 11-0
The Falcons struck early and often in Game Two, wasting no time with three runs in the first inning. Haylee Anders got on base after a double to left center and was brought home after a single from McKenzie Tebbs, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead. After a pop up from Erin Cressman, Jaelynn Harbold walked, putting two runners on for Messiah. Isabel Seise came through with two outs, hitting an RBI double that brought home Tebbs and Harbold to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead.

Messiah kept things going in the botton of the second after Karlee Stocksdale reached first on an error by the short stop. Stocksdale was brought home by Haylee Anders who hit an RBI double to left field, making it 4-0.

Messiah didn't slow down in the third as they added two runs to their lead. Erin Cressman got the inning started with a single to left field. Jaelynn Harbold reached first on an error by the right fielder and advanced to second on the throw as Cressman advanced to third. Isabel Seise brought both runners home with an RBI single to right center to give Messiah a 6-0 lead over the Warriors.

Lycoming continued to struggle offensively in the top of the fourth as Rebekah Pais dished out two strikeouts in the inning. 

The Falcons nearly doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Haylee Anders singled to short stop and McKenzie Tebbs singled to left field. Both Anders and Tebbs advanced an extra base on the throw, putting both in scoring position with Erin Cressman coming to the plate with no outs. Cressman wasted no time as she swung on the first pitch she saw and hit a three-run home run over the right field fence to give the Falcons a 9-0 lead. The inning didn't end there for Messiah as Jaelynn Harbold singled to left field and Kara Birosak reached on an error by the second basemen. Amanda Petersen pinch hit for Ashley Carroll and hit a double to the right center gap to bring home Harbold and give Messiah a 10-0 run. Karlee Stocksdale added another run for the Falcons as she hit an RBI single to center field to bring home Birosak. Stocksdale was out after attempting to grab an extra base on the throw but the damage was done as Messiah was up 11-0 and the Warriors failed to tally any runs in the top of the fifth.

The game ended in five innings with mercy rule in effect and Rebekah Pais was credited the win after striking out five batters and pitching all five innings.

What's Up Next
Messiah is now 15-15 overall on the season and 6-6 in the conference. They will have the weekend off and resume play on Apr. 18 at home agaisnt the Widener Pride at 2:00pm.