ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – The Messiah softball team began its 2022 MAC Commonwealth schedule with a road sweep over Eastern University on Saturday. The Falcons won Game One, 4-0, behind an impressive eight-strikeout pitching performance from Madison Walter and a two-run home run from Hannah Dyer. Lydia Collison pitched a complete game in Game Two, earning Messiah the sweep with a 5-3 victory.
 
The doubleheader sweep improves Messiah's overall record to 12-6.
 
Game One - Messiah 4, Eastern 0
The Falcons got off to a hot start in the top of the first inning, getting the offense going early. Alexa Burger reached first base on an error to begin the game, promptly stealing second base to set herself up in scoring position for Dyer. Dyer launched a home run to left field to give Messiah a 2-0 advantage, the Falcons' first home run of the 2022 campaign.
 
Messiah increased its lead to 3-0 in the top of the second inning following an RBI-groundout from Kyley Mellage. The Falcons took advantage of some sloppy defensive play from Eastern early on, scoring two of their three runs in unearned fashion.
 
Messiah threatened once again in the top of the third inning, putting runners on first and second base before sophomore catcher McKenzie Shannon got thrown out while attempting to swipe third base. Walter continued to cruise in the bottom half of the frame, retiring the Eagles in order as Messiah held a 3-0 lead after three innings.
 
The Falcons, behind Walter's strong pitching, continued to keep Eastern at bay. Dyer notched her third RBI of the game in the top of the seventh inning, plating the insurance run on a double to right field. Mellage, who led off the inning with a single, came around to score to give Messiah a firm 4-0 edge.
 
Walter retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to cling the 4-0 win. The senior pitcher totaled eight strikeouts while allowing just two hits.
 

Game Two - Messiah 5, Eastern 3

The Falcons, with a win, had a chance to sweep their conference-opening doubleheader after earning the Game One victory. Messiah trotted out Lydia Collison for her ninth start of the season. The sophomore pitcher cruised through the first inning, retiring the side behind two strikeouts.

Messiah plated three runs in the top of the second inning, scoring the runs on just one hit and two errors. The Falcons took advantage of sloppy defensive play from Eastern and a leadoff single from Collison to jump out to their 3-0 lead. 

The Eagles answered in the bottom half of the inning with a run of their own on a homerun from Long. Through two innings, Messiah held a 3-1 lead over the host.
Long recorded another RBI in the following inning on a single to center field, cutting Eastern's deficit to just one run (3-2). Despite surrendering another run, Collison escaped the inning with a lead. 

The Falcons restored their two-run advantage in the top of the fourth inning when Shannon forced a bases-loaded walk to increase the lead to 4-2. In the inning, the Falcons scored one run on one hit, stranding three runners after Collison grounded out to the pitcher with the bases loaded to end the inning. 

Messiah added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning behind a runs-scoring knock from Ali Wagner. Entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Falcons held a comfortable three-run lead, 5-2. 

Collison looked to complete the game, entering the inning with a total of five strikeouts.The Eagles put runners on first and second base with one out, bringing the tying run to the plate. A fielder's choice putout put the Falcons just one out away from victory, but not before Eastern scratched across a run on an RBI-single from Long.

Leading by just two runs, 5-3, Collison was able to secure the last out for the victory,on a groundout to Dyer. 

Both Shannon and Wagner recorded multi-hit games in the Game Two victory as Collison improved her overall record to 5-2.

Messiah travels to McDaniel College this Wednesday, Mar. 30, for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.