GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University softball team had its home-opener on Thursday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader with Susquehanna University. The Falcons claimed Game One, 7-4, before getting shutout 11-0 in Game Two. McKenzie Shannon and Paige Eakes each had two RBI in the Game One win as Allie Book recorded her first-career three-hit performance.
 
After the doubleheader split, Messiah's overall record stands at 12-7.
 
Game One – Messiah 7, Susquehanna 4
Collison, making her 10th start of the season, navigated the top part of the River Hawks' lineup well in the top of the first inning. The Falcons threatened in the bottom half of the opening frame, placing runners on second and third base with two outs, but were unable to scratch across a run as Elianna Litwin grounded out to third base.
 
Messiah scored the first run of the game in the second inning. After Rebekah Wiley and Paige Eakes were both retired to open the frame, Allie Book ripped a triple down the left field line. Collison promptly contributed after, lacing a double to right center field to plate Book to give the Falcons a 1-0 edge.
 
The River Hawks answered with the tying run in the top of the third and tacked on two runs in the following frame to grab a 3-1 lead. Susquehanna scored all three of its runs on homeruns. Kaba hit a game-tying solo shot to lead off the third inning as Pavlik launched the go-ahead homer in the fourth, a two-run long ball that sailed over the right center field fence with two outs.
 
In the third and fourth innings, Messiah's offense was silenced, totaling just two hits. Through four innings, Susquehanna's Hannah Foust had five strikeouts, holding the Falcon offense to just one run.
 
After surrendering another run in the top of the fifth inning to make it 4-1, Messiah's offense got going. Kyley Mellage led off the inning with a single through the left side and was plated two batters later from a double off the bat of McKenzie Shannon. Litwin contributed an RBI-single to pull the Falcons within one run (4-3) before Eakes provided the big hit. With two outs on the board, Eakes ripped a double to right field to score Wiley and Litwin, the tying and go-ahead runs. Book also contributed with a run-scoring hit, plating Eakes with an RBI-single to center field. After the momentous five-hit frame, Messiah held a two-run advantage, 6-4.
 
Collison breezed through the River Hawks' lineup in the sixth and seventh innings, allowing just one base runner to clinch the Game One victory for the Falcons. Shannon tacked on another RBI with a double in the bottom of the sixth inning as Messiah would go on to win, 7-4.
 
Collison earned the win in the circle, improving her overall record to 7-1. Messiah totaled 10 hits in the victory, as Book (3) and Shannon (2) led the way with multi-hit performances.
 
Game Two – Susquehanna 11, Messiah 0 (5 inn.)
Maggie Chinnadurai made the Game Two start for Messiah, looking to complete the doubleheader sweep. The River Hawks threatened in the top of the first inning, advancing a runner to second base with just one out, but Messiah avoided falling behind early as Chinnadurai issued back-to-back putouts.
 
Susquehanna's offense struck in the top of the second inning, plating four runs on five hits. The River Hawks' offense erupted in the frame as the first six batters reached safely. Messiah had a chance to answer in the bottom half of the second inning, and despite a one-out double from Litwin, the Falcons' offense was silenced.
 
Messiah threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning as Shannon led off the inning with a double, her third double of the doubleheader. Despite putting the leadoff runner in scoring position, the Falcons were unable to score as Dyer, Litwin, and Book were retired in consecutive fashion.
 
Susquehanna opened the game up in the top of fifth inning, scoring seven runs on four hits as the River Hawks held on to earn the five-inning contest, 11-0.
 
Chinnadurai was tagged with the pitching loss in Game Two.
 
What's Next
Messiah (12-7) returns to action this Saturday, Mar. 25, hosting York College (Pa.) for a conference doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.