FAYETTEVILLE, N. C. – The Messiah softball team opened its 2022 season with a road doubleheader sweep over Methodist University, narrowly winning Game One, 1-0, a finishing the sweep with an extra-innings victory by a score of 8-5 (8 inn.). The Falcons used two different complete-game efforts in the circle as Madison Walter tossed a two-hit shutout in Game One. Lydia Collison pitching eight innings in Game Two, striking out eight batters. Olivia Denmark provided the pivotal offense late in the second contest, lacing the game-winning two-run single in the top of the eighth inning.
 
The doubleheader sweep improves Messiah's 2022 overall record to 2-0 before another road doubleheader at Mary Washington University tomorrow, Feb. 26, at 12:00 p.m.
 
Game One
The Falcons got off to a fast start to its season, scoring in the top of the opening frame. Hannah Dyer and Kyley Mellage each reached base in their first-career plate appearances as Dyer was hit by a pitch and Mellage reached on an infield error. Playing small ball, the Falcons had Alexa Burger bunt. Burger was out at first, but both runners advanced, as Dyer was able to round third and score Messiah's first run of the game and first run of the season. Olivia Denmark walked later in the frame, but Methodist was able to escape with only allowing one run.
 
Walter was granted a 1-0 edge before throwing her first pitch. The Monarchs threatened in the bottom of the first inning, loading the bases behind a hit-by-pitch, a single, and a walk. Walter was able to work out of trouble, striking out Methodist's Sanchez to preserve the one-run lead.
 
It was smooth sailing for Walter and the Falcons for the rest of the game as both sides were unable to scratch another run across the board. Walter retired five-straight batters after working out of the bases-loaded jam before the Monarchs' Haigler laced a double to center field. With the tying run on first, Messiah issued a double play when Burger snagged a line drive, doubling up Haigler at second base.
 
Walter issued one-two-three innings for the final four innings of the game, retiring the final 12 batters in order to solidify the narrow 1-0 decision. Dyer recorded the Falcons' only hit of the game, a third inning single for her first collegiate hit.
 
Game Two
Collison was in the circle for the Falcons in Game Two. The Monarchs got on the board early, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning when Raynor singled to left field. Messiah got out of the inning with a double play, its second double play of the twin-bill.
 
Trailing, 1-0, Messiah tied the ballgame in the third inning and claimed a one-run advantage in the following frame. The Falcons took advantage of sloppy play from the Monarchs in the third inning to even the game as Tessa Spinosa got things going for Messiah, recording her first-career hit to lead off the inning. Spinosa was able to advance to third base on a bunt from Sarah Lippin, scoring on the next at-bat when Dyer lifted a pop fly to center field. The ball was dropped in center field, allowing Spinosa to score the game-tying run. Messiah manufactured the go-ahead run in the top of the fourth frame as Olivia Denmark was able to score on a sacrifice fly from Collison.
 
Collison, recording the Falcons' first RBI of the season in the fourth inning to give Messiah a 2-1 lead, shut the door on the Monarchs in the bottom of the frame. Collison struck out the first two batters of the inning, getting Happel to pop up in the infield to for an easy one-two-three inning. The sophomore continued to deal in the bottom of the fifth inning, retiring the side with a strikeout to end the frame. Through five innings, Collison had accumulated seven strikeouts.
The Falcons plated two insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning, taking a 4-1 lead. Burger led off the inning with a double as Denmark walked, promptly stealing second base to set Messiah up well. Collison cashed in two batters later, singling to left field to plate Burger as Denmark advanced to third base. Denmark later scored on a throwing error by the catcher, earning Messiah a comfortable three-run advantage.
 
Messiah's lead did not last long as the Monarchs came storming back, tying the game with a three-run bottom of the sixth frame. Methodist loaded the bases with just one out, scoring on an infield single to pull within a two-run deficit (4-2). Evans was up next to the plate for the Monarchs, lifting a fly ball to center field for a sacrifice fly. During the same play, the Falcons were able to turn a double play in a run-down, tagging out Sanchez at first base. The tying run scored during the run-down as the two sides entered the seventh inning tied at 4-4.
 
Both teams had a scoreless seventh inning, forcing extra innings. The Falcons put two runners on early in the eighth inning as Denmark laced a single up the middle, plating both Ali Wagner and Burger for the go-ahead runs. Messiah scratched across two more runs in the inning with the help of a fielding error from the Monarchs. Going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Falcons held an 8-4 lead. Collison trotted back out to the circle to complete the game, allowing one run, but holding Methodist at bay for the 8-5 Game Two decision.
 
Collison threw eight complete innings, striking out eight batters. Denmark provided the offense for the Falcons, going 2-for-3, supplying the game-winning two-run knock in extras. Burger also recorded a multi-hit game (2-for-4) as Messiah had six different players hit safely in the victory.
 
What's Next
The Falcons travel to Mary Washington University tomorrow, Feb. 26, to take on the Eagles in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m.