GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah softball team dropped both games of a home doubleheader, 6-2 and 4-0 Saturday afternoon against Stevenson University. The Falcons led in game one 2-1, until a five-run top of the sixth inning propelled the visiting Mustangs to the victory. Freshman infielder Alexa Burger hit her second home run in as many days in game one, a two-run shot in the bottom of the third inning to give her a team-high five RBIs on the season.
 
Burger's homer proved to be the only Messiah run-scoring play of the doubleheader opener. The freshman infielder went 2-for-3 at the dish, giving her five hits on the season. Brynne Baker, Isabel Seise, Elena Rosas, Olivia Denmark, and Karlee Stocksdale each laced hits for the Falcons. Stocksdale scored her first run of the season on Burger's homer after earning herself a walk in the at-bat prior. After throwing a complete game in yesterday's season-opening win, Madison Walter tossed 3.2 innings for the Falcons. The junior pitcher allowed just one run on four hits, striking out two batters.
 
The Falcons bats went cold in game two of the doubleheader, getting outhit by the Mustangs 12-3 in the 4-0 loss. McKenzie Shannon, Sarah Lippin, and Brynne Baker provided the lone hits for Messiah, as Morghan Fulton gave Stevenson their second complete game of the day. She struck out five batters in her seven innings of work. Brynne Baker fell to 1-1 on the season in the circle after allowing three runs in 2.1 innings before Madison Walter gave up one run in 4.2 innings of relief.

The Falcons fall to 2-2 on the season and will take the field next Saturday when they travel to York College (Pa.) for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
 
Game One, Stevenson beats Messiah 6-2
The Mustangs had an opportunity to pick up a run in the top of the first inning after a leadoff single by Jordan Fangman. Fangman proceeded to steal second base before moving to third on a ground out. Morghan Fulton grounded it back to the pitcher where the Falcons caught Fangman in a rundown and picked up the out at home and would get out of the jam.
 
Messiah could not gather any scoring opportunities over the first few innings. Stevenson had another scoring chance in the top of the third after a leadoff walk, a Falcon error and a Kayla Briles single loaded the bases with just one out. Madison Walter was able to escape the inning however with consecutive flyouts to center and right field.
 
The Falcons picked up their first hit in the bottom of the third on an Olivia Denmark infield single before later in the inning an Alexa Burger homerun off the top of the center field fence gave Messiah their first runs of the game to go up 2-0. Stevenson would pick up a run in the top of the fourth before the offenses were halted.
 
That is until the top of the sixth inning rolled around. The Mustangs used four hits, a Falcon error, two stolen bases and a sacrifice fly to push across five runs and take a 6-2 lead. That lead would hold for Stevenson as Marissa Heuer struck out ten in a complete game victory.
 
Game Two, Stevenson beats Messiah 4-0
Both teams had runners in scoring position over the first few innings of game two, but neither team could scratch across a run. Then in the top of the third, the Mustangs offense exploded for three runs on six hits, with five hits in a row to take a 3-0 lead. They picked up another run in the fourth to make it 4-0.

Messiah struggled to get anything going in game two offensively, picking up just three hits in the game. They had scoring opportunities on a few occasions, but were not able to take advantage as Stevenson picked up the 4-0 win.
 
What's Up Next?
As mentioned, Messiah falls to 2-2 after the pair of losses and will look to get back in the win column next weekend on Mar. 20 when they travel to York College (Pa.) to take on the Spartans in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.