WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Messiah softball team swept the Catholic University of America Cardinals in their doubleheader Saturday afternoon on the road 3-1 and 4-1. On a chilly afternoon, both teams could only muster six combined hits in game one, but the pitching duel favored the Falcons.

Madison Walter threw a gem in the circle for Messiah, only allowing three hits and one run on a home run, while striking out three in a complete game. This is her first win as a Falcon after transferring in this season.

In game two, the Cardinals picked up an early 1-0 lead before Olivia Denmark's first career double tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth. The score stayed at 1-1 throughout the rest of the game, as they went into extra innings. Messiah seized the game in extras with three runs in the top of the eighth, before holding on in the bottom half to win 4-1.

With the sweep, Messiah moves to 2-4 on the season and will be back in action Tuesday afternoon in their home opener against Susquehanna University beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Game 1, Messiah Defeats Catholic 3-1
Isabel Seise led Messiah at the plate with two of their three hits, while also connecting on the Falcons first home run of the season with the long ball leading off the fourth inning for Messiah that made the score 2-0.

Seise was also able to keep a two out rally going in the top of the first, singling to drive home the run and give Messiah their first run of the afternoon. Madison Walter began her day in the circle with four perfect innings, before allowing her first hit in the bottom of the fifth, which was a Sabrina Scott homer.

Walter ran into a bit more trouble in the fifth, with runners on first and second and one out, but was able to retire the next two hitters and keep the score at 3-1. That was the closest the Cardinals got for the rest of the game, as Walter shut them down in the next two innings, not allowing another baserunner in the game, as the Falcons took game one 3-1.

Game 2, Messiah Defeats Catholic 4-1
The Falcons swung the bats well in game two, picking up 11 hits with four extra-base hits. As mentioned, Messiah ran into trouble in the first inning of game two, with a leadoff walk coming back to bite the Falcons. The Cardinals put a run in scoring position before making two outs and giving Messiah a chance to get out of the inning unscathed. A Sabrina Scott single however, put Catholic up 1-0.

A lead-off double gave Messiah an opportunity in the top of the third, but were not able to take advantage as the Cardinals held the 1-0 lead heading into the fourth. This is where the Falcons used a clutch two-out double from freshman Olivia Denmark to tie the game at 1-1.

Messiah found some trouble in the bottom of the fourth, as Catholic loaded the bases with just one out. Emily Albanese was then able to get a pop out and a ground ball to keep the game tied at 1-1. The Falcons threatened in the top of the sixth, with runners at second and third and only one out, but two strikeouts kept the score tied. Catholic loaded the bases once again in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, but a Cardinal ground out sent us to extras. 

To start the eighth, Jordan Holman was placed on second base and a ground ball out moved her to third. The Falcons then hit three straight singles to knock in two runs before an Elena Rosas double scored the final run to give Messiah the 4-1 lead. Rebekah Pais was able to shut the door in the bottom of the eighth and Messiah walked away with the 4-1 win.

What's Up Next
As mentioned, Messiah moves to 2-4 on the season after the sweep of Catholic and will play their first games at home Tuesday afternoon against Susquehanna University with game times slated for 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. These two teams last met in the 2018 season on Apr. 5 where the Falcons dropped a pair on the road at Susquehanna, 7-5 and 5-4.