LEESBURG, Fla. – The Messiah softball team split its two Friday contests at Sleepy Hollow Fields in Leesburg, Fla. The Falcons edged Lake Forest College in extra innings in the first game, 4-2, and fell to Hiram College, 4-2, in their second contest.
Madison Walter earned the Game One victory, tossing a complete game with 10 strikeouts.
Lydia Collison pitched Game Two, also racking up 10 strikeouts. Both strikeout totals are season-high marks for the Falcon pitchers.
Alexa Burger had a strong day offensively, totaling two hits and two RBI.
Elena Rosas had a pinch-hit appearance against Lake Forest, launching a double to deep left-center field, her second consecutive hit in pinch-hit situations.
With the two-game split, Messiah's 2022 overall record now stands at 8-4.
Game One – Messiah 4, Lake Forest 2 (8 inn.)
Earlier in the week, the Foresters squared off against familiar MAC Commonwealth competition. Lake Forest topped York College (Pa.), 8-1, on Monday, and fell to Alvernia University, 7-1, on Tuesday.
Burger got the Falcons off to a flying start. Leading off the game, the sophomore infielder ripped a single down the left field line, cruising into third base standing following an error from the left fielder. Burger scored on the following at-bat, an RBI-groundout from
Ali Wagner, the first-year's second RBI of the season. Promptly, Messiah gained a 1-0 edge over the Foresters.
Messiah doubled its advantage, 2-0, in the top of the third inning as Mellage worked a four-pitch walk to lead off the inning.
Sarah Lippin bunted Mellage over to third as Burger launched a deep drive to left field, easily plating Mellage following the putout.
Walter cruised to the sixth inning before Lake Forest's offense drew level. The Foresters tied the game with three hits in the inning, leaving two runners stranded. The big hit came off the bat of Hailey Boylan, a bases-loaded, two-run single down the right field line. Despite surrendering the lead, Walter struck out the side, upping her game total to eight.
Elena Rosas launched a one-out double to deep right center field in the top of the seventh inning. Advancing to third on a groundout, the Foresters were able to escape the inning without allowing the go-ahead run to score. Walter retired the side in the bottom half of the frame as the two sides were headed for extra innings, still level at 2-2.
Messiah capitalized in the top of the eighth inning, playing two runs to take a 4-2 lead. Mellage provided the big run-scoring hit, an RBI-single to score
Elianna Litwin. The Falcons tacked on one more insurance run behind a fielder's choice from Burger, her second RBI of the game.
With a two-run edge, Walter shut the door in the bottom of the eighth inning as Messiah won its fourth game out of five contests, topping Lake Forest, 4-2.
Game Two – Hiram 4, Messiah 2
With a win, the Falcons had a chance to sweep the Friday slate. Clashing with the Terriers,
Lydia Collison made her sixth start of the season.
Messiah got off to a fast start offensively. For the second-consecutive game, Burger led off the Falcons with a scorching base hit, planting a deep fly ball in the left-center field gap. Burger raced for third, cruising in for a standup triple. Mellage picked up the RBI in the following at-bat with a sacrifice bunt, putting Messiah quickly on top, 1-0. In the first inning alone, the Falcons had three base hits as
McKenzie Shannon and Collison each contributed singles.
The Falcons tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, loading the bases for Burger. With an 0-2 count, Burger watched a high pitch sail over the catcher's head, sending Collison home for Messiah's second run of the game.
The Terriers tied the game in the top of the fifth inning, taking advantage of sloppy defensive play from Messiah. Hiram had runners on second and third base when Giselle Chavez doubled in the left-center field gap to level the score at 2-2.
With the shift in momentum, the Terriers plated the go-ahead run in the top of sixth inning. Fayth Kawamura supplied the pivotal run-scoring knock for Hiram as the Falcons trailed, 3-2.
Maggie Chinnadurai came on in relief of Collison, recording the final out of the frame.
Messiah went down in order in the bottom of the sixth inning and entered the final inning with a one-run deficit. Hiram manufactured another run behind two hits, taking a 4-2 lead, chasing Chinnadurai from the game. Walter came in for the relief appearance, registering the last two outs of the inning.
With a two-run hole to overcome, the Falcons were retired one-two-three in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hiram defeated Messiah, 4-2.
In the game, Burger, Collison, and Shannon all recorded hits for the Falcons. Despite taking the loss, Collison registered a career-high 10 strikeouts.
What's Next
The Falcons return to action next Saturday, Mar. 19, traveling to Gallaudet University for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m.
