GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah softball team is gearing up to begin its 2022 campaign, clashing with Methodist University tomorrow (Feb. 25) on the road for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader. The Falcons are coming off a successful 2021 season, finishing as MAC Commonwealth runners-up with an overall record of 16-12.
Read below for a preview of the upcoming 2022 season:
2021 Recap
As mentioned, Messiah finished the 2021 campaign with an overall record of 16-12, going 8-6 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Falcons opened the season with a strong sweep of Stevenson University on the road on Mar. 12. Following the sweep of the Mustangs, Messiah stayed on a steady course for the remainder of the regular season, going 14-12, including a four-game win streak from March 27 – April 3.
Entering the postseason tournament as the fourth seed, Messiah got hot during the MAC Commonwealth Tournament, defeating No. 5 Eastern University in an exciting three-game series. The Falcons swept the top-seeded Alvernia University Golden Wolves the following weekend to set up a Championship Series with No. 3 York College (Pa.). Messiah dropped the doubleheader on the road at York, 3-0, and 9-1 to finish the tournament as runners-up. Pitcher
Madison Walter tossed 40 complete innings during the conference tournament, allowing just five earned runs while striking out 32 batters.
Walter was received a Second Team NFCA All-Region and First Team All-MAC Commonwealth nod while
Olivia Denmark,
Brynne Baker, and
Elena Rosas all claimed All-MAC Commonwealth Second Team honors.
2022 Roster
Messiah welcomes back a total of 14 players from its 2021 rosters. Amongst those returners include the four 2021 All-MAC Commonwealth honorees mentioned above,
Elianna Litwin, Shannon McKenzie, and
Karlee Stocksdale. Litwin, who led the Falcons in batting average (.293), compiled 22 hits in 2021 while McKenzie led the squad in doubles with nine. Stocksdale returns for her senior season after starting in 21 contests last season.
The Falcons add a total of nine first-year players to the 2022 roster. The first-years include
Kyley Mellage (Iselin, N. J. / John F. Kennedy Memorial),
Tessa Spinosa (Castro Valley, Calif. / Castro Valley),
Ali Wagner (Camp Hill, Pa. / Cumberland Valley),
Olivia Mellinger (Lancaster, Pa. / Conestoga Valley),
Madeline Gohn (Lancaster, Pa. / Donegal),
Hannah Dyer (Millersburg, Pa. / Millersburg),
Sierra Emery (Bernardsville, N. J. / Bernards),
Maggie Chinnadurai (Denville, N. J. / Morris Knolls) and
Jaden Keister (Millmont, Pa. / Mifflinburg Area). This group of first-year players will look to make immediate impacts for Messiah this season.
Coaches
Amy Weaver returns for her 25th season as head coach of the softball program at Messiah. Weaver will look to lead the Falcons to their 13th-straight MAC Commonwealth Tournament appearance this season as well as their first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2018 campaign.
Joining Weaver as Assistant Coaches are
Alex Quigley (17th season),
Dana Randall (13th season), Taylor Semore,
Carrie Mitcheltree,
Sam McLoota, and
Jen Quigley.
2022 Schedule
As mentioned, the Falcons begin their season on the road at Methodist. Messiah goes on a spring break trip during the week of Mar. 6-13, taking on Haverford College, Muskingum University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Alfred University, United States Coast Guard Academy, and Penn. State Berks in Clermont, Fla. The Falcons close out their Florida trip on Friday, Mar. 11, taking on Lake Forest College and Hiram College at Sleepy Hollow Fields in Leesburg, Fla.
Messiah has its first MAC Commonwealth contest in St. Davids, Pa., on Mar. 26. The Falcons will clash with Eastern University for a road doubleheader, a rematch of the 2021 MAC Commonwealth Tournament Quarterfinals.
Following 22 games to open the season, Messiah will finally have its home-opener on Saturday, Apr. 2, taking on Lebanon Valley College in a conference doubleheader. The Falcons end their 2022 regular season schedule on the road at Alvernia University on Apr. 30 for a doubleheader before the MAC Commonwealth Tournament begins, slated to be held from May 5-7 at Alvernia.
Follow the Falcons all season long right here at GoMessiah.com!
