OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Messiah softball team recorded an away doubleheader at Stevenson University on Saturday afternoon. After being blanked in the opening game, 2-0, the Falcons rebounded with a momentous 4-1 victory, using a three-run top of the seventh inning to claim the victory.
Lydia Collison earned the Game Two victory, pitching a complete game with six strikeouts.
With the doubleheader split, the Falcons 2022 overall record stands at 15-9 (5-1 MAC Commonwealth).
Game One – Stevenson 2, Messiah 0
The opening game of the road doubleheader was sluggish for the Falcons. Messiah only had two runners reach base as
Madeline Gohn and
Sarah Lippin each worked walks. The Falcons went hitless due to a phenomenal pitching performance from Stevenson's starter, Heuer.
Madison Walter made the start for the Falcons, pitching six strong innings, striking out five batters while allowing just two hits. Of the two runs allowed, just one run was earned. The loss dropped Walter's record to 7-6 on the season and Messiah's overall record to 14-8 ahead of Game Two.
Game Two
Messiah looked to shake off the Game One set back, trotting out
Lydia Collison for her 12th start of the season. The sophomore pitcher performed well, allowing just two hits through the first four innings, striking out a total of four batters.
The Falcons earned their first hit of the afternoon in the top of the second inning when Collison opened up the frame with an infield single. Messiah grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, its first lead of the day.
Elena Rosas provided the run-scoring knock, a double down the right field line, plating
Kyley Mellage. Collison retired the side in the bottom half of the frame as the Falcons led after three innings, 1-0.
The Mustangs leveled the score in the bottom of the sixth inning, manufacturing the game-tying RBI with a sacrifice fly. After leading for nearly three innings, Messiah relinquished its one-run advantage heading into the seventh and final inning of play.
Messiah had a momentous seventh inning, using four hits to plate three runs, taking a 4-1 lead.
Ali Wagner, Mellage, and
Hannah Dyer supplied the run-scoring knocks, highlighted by an RBI-double from Wagner, scoring the game-winning run. Collison trotted back out to the circle with a three-run lead in the bottom half of the frame, retiring the Stevenson batters to clinch the 4-1 win.
Collison (7-3) earned her seventh win of the year, ending the game with a total of six strikeouts.
What's Next
The Falcons return home on Thursday, Apr. 14, taking on Widener University in a conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.
