GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah softball team swept visiting Dickinson College in a non-conference doubleheader at Starry Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons erupted for a dominant 8-0 win, ending after six innings, in Game One. Messiah claimed Game Two by a score of 7-6, completing the doubleheader sweep behind run-scoring hits from Olivia Denmark, Paige Eakes, and Tessa Spinosa.
 
In the two wins, Chinnadurai launched her first-career home run in Game One, totaling eight innings pitched between the two contests (0 ER). Denmark shined offensively, combining for four hits and five RBI. Elianna Litwin made her first first-career start in the circle in Game Two, earning the victory with five innings pitched.
 
Game Two began in dominant fashion for the Falcons, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after the first two frames. Dickinson clawed its way back into the game, scoring six unanswered runs to trim its deficit to just one run. Messiah held on for the victory, 7-6, as Madison Walter recorded the final three outs and earned the save
 
With the doubleheader sweep, Messiah improves its 2022 overall record to 18-10 (6-2 MAC Commonwealth).
 
Game One – Messiah 8, Dickinson 0 (6 inn.)
The Falcons had a complete team effort in the opening contest of the doubleheader, highlighted by a phenomenal performance from Chinnadurai. The first-year pitcher made her first-career start, retiring the Red Devils in order in the top of the first inning.
 
In addition to making her first-career start, Chinnadurai launched her first-career home run in the bottom half of the first inning, a three-run shot that cleared the left field fence. Olivia Denmark began the scoring with a two-run single to deep center field with the bases loaded, setting up Chinnadurai for the long ball. At the end of one frame, the Falcons owned a commanding 5-0 lead.
 
Chinnadurai brought her momentum back into the circle, retiring the first 14 Dickinson batters before allowing a hit. Brooke Espenshade broke up the no-hit bid in the top of the fifth inning, lacing a single up the middle. The first-year pitcher also tacked on another RBI in the bottom of the third inning, ripping an RBI-single to left field to increase the Falcons' advantage to 6-0.
 
Denmark tacked on her third RBI of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, an RBI-single to center field to plate Elianna Litwin. Chinnadurai continued to cruise in the circle as Messiah promptly ended the game early in the bottom of the sixth inning, using a fielder's choice to force home the game-ending run.
 
Chinnadurai issued a strong performance, pitching six innings, allowing no runs and just two hits, striking out two batters.
 
Game Two – Messiah 7, Dickinson 6
Elianna Litwin made her first start of the season for the Falcons in Game Two. Litwin allowed one hit in the top of the first inning, but the junior pitcher was able to work out of the inning, leading Messiah to a big offensive bottom half of the inning.
 
The Falcons jumped all over Dickinson in the bottom of the first, plating four runs to earn a 4-0 lead. Paige Eakes and Tessa Spinosa each laced two-run doubles, accounting for Messiah's scoring for the inning.
 
Messiah continued its offensive pressure in the bottom of the second inning, growing its advantage to a seven-run lead (7-0) behind three hits. Denmark recorded her third run-scoring hit of the doubleheader, ripping an RBI-single to center field. Through two innings, Messiah led Dickinson, 7-0, behind five hits from five different players.
 
Despite trailing by seven runs, the Red Devils refused to go down lightly. The visitors scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning and two runs in the top of the fifth inning to trim Messiah's lead to just three runs (7-4). Litwin, following five complete innings, was relieved for Ali Wagner, who made her first-career appearance in the circle for the Falcons.
 
Coming on in the beginning of the sixth inning, Wagner was put in charge of protecting a 7-4 lead. After walking the first batter and allowing a single in the following at-bat, Chinnadurai relieved Wagner. The first-year pitcher made a great defensive play against her first batter, laying out to a catch a popped-up bunt attempt. The Red Devils followed with consecutive singles to plate two runs, cutting their deficit to just one run, 7-6. Chinnadurai struck out Seburn to end the inning as Messiah entered the bottom of the sixth inning clinging to just a one-run advantage after leading by seven runs (7-0) at the end of the second inning.
 
Following a scoreless sixth inning for the Falcons, Madison Walter was tasked with getting the final three outs. Walter breezed through the inning, retiring the Dickinson side in order to clinch the win for Messiah, 7-6.
 
What's Next
Messiah remains at home, hosting Albright College this Wednesday, Apr. 20, for a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.