GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah softball team swept visiting Lebanon Valley College in a conference doubleheader at Starry Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons edged their visitors in a ten-inning Game One contest, 5-4, riding offensive momentum throughout Game Two to complete the sweep with a 7-4 decision.
 
Both Madison Walter and Lydia Collison pitched complete games for the Falcons as Alexa Burger combined for five hits throughout the two games. Jaden Keister had a strong offensive afternoon as well, recording two-hit games in each contest.
 
With the wins, Messiah improves its record to 14-8 (4-0 MAC Commonwealth).
 
Game One – Messiah 5, Lebanon Valley 4 (10 inn.)
 
Before the game, Messiah softball honored its 2022 seniors, Elena Rosas and Walter. In addition to being honored as a senior member of the Messiah softball team, Walter made the start in the circle for the Falcons, going toe-to-toe with her sister, Jordan Walter, the sophomore starting pitcher for Lebanon Valley.
 
Lebanon Valley's offense got going early in the top of the first inning, jumping out to a prompt 2-0 advantage behind two hits and a throwing error from the Falcons. Kyley Mellage made a solid defensive play in right field during the inning, tracking down a fly ball for a key putout on the warning track.
 
The Falcons threatened in the bottom of the first inning after Hannah Dyer and Lydia Collison worked walks. Messiah had runners on first and second, but J. Walter got Jaden Keister to go down swinging to end the frame.
 
Following a one-two-three inning from M. Walter in the top of the second inning, Messiah leveled the score in the bottom half of the frame, 2-2, behind three-consecutive infield singles. Sarah Lippin and Dyer provided two of the infield singles, both run-scoring plays. Through two innings, the two sides were knotted up at 2-2.
 
Lebanon Valley loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning to put pressure on M. Walter, but a phenomenal defensive play escaped Messiah from danger. M. Walter issued a weak groundball back to the pitching circle, turning a 1-2-3 double play to get out of the inning. Sophomore catcher McKenzie Shannon made a heads-up defensive play, firing down to first base for the final out of the inning following the force out at home plate.
 
The fifth inning was eventful as both sides plated two runs, making the game a 4-4 stalemate heading into the sixth frame. Lebanon Valley took advantage of a defensive shift from Messiah, lining a shot up the middle that turned into an inside-the-park home run. The Falcons answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, taking advantage of a throwing error from the catcher to score the tying run.
 
Following a scoreless sixth and seventh inning, Messiah and Lebanon Valley were headed for extra innings in Game One of the doubleheader. The Falcons used a strong defensive play to escape the top of the eighth inning, issuing a double play from a flyout. Lippin made the putout in center field, doubling up the Lebanon Valley runner with a missile to first base.  
 
In the tenth inning, the Falcons broke through with game-winning run. Advancing Mellage to third base on a bunt, Dyer ripped a single up the middle to end the marathon.
 
In the win, Messiah had a total of 12 hits, a season-high mark. Alexa Burger led the Falcons with three hits as Dyer, Lydia Collison, and Jordan Keister all registered two-hit performances. Walter earned her seventh win of the season, striking out a total of six batters.
 
Game Two – Messiah 7, Lebanon Valley 4
Collison made the start for the Falcons, surrendering an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Despite falling behind 1-0, Messiah made a good defensive play, using a 9-4-2 relay to make a key putout at home.
 
Lebanon Valley grew its early advantage to 3-0 in the top of the second inning, taking an advantage of an infield error from the Messiah defense.
 
The Falcons' offense remained quiet until a four-hit third inning plated three runs to level the score at 3-3. Jaden Keister issued the big run-scoring hit for the Falcons, a two-run single to plate Dyer and Burger. Collison was the next batter, tying the game with an RBI-single through the right side. Through three frames, the conference foes were knotted up at 3-3.
 
Dyer gave Messiah the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, providing a clutch, two-out RBI-double to put the Falcons ahead by two runs (5-3). The run-scoring knock was Dyer's third RBI of the doubleheader.
 
Messiah plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning behind five hits, highlighted by an RBI-triple from Gohn. Wagner also contributed a run-scoring hit, plating Gohn on a single up the middle. Through five innings, Messiah's bats were hot, holding a commanding 7-3 lead.
 
Collison secured the final six outs for the Falcons to earn her seventh win of the season as Messiah secured the doubleheader sweep with a 7-4 decision in Game Two.
 
What's Next
The Falcons remain at home this week, hosting Misericordia University for a doubleheader at Starry Softball Field on Thursday, Apr. 7, beginning at 3:00 p.m.