GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University softball team defeated Muhlenberg College, 6-3, at Starry Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. McKenzie Shannon provided the big offensive blow for the Falcons, hitting a go-ahead three-run homerun in the bottom of the third inning. Elianna Litwin also recorded a solo homerun as Lydia Collison notched her 15th victory of the season, a conference-leading mark.
 
Messiah totaled 10 hits in the win as Allie Book recorded a 3-for-3 performance at the dish. Litwin also registered a multi-hit (2) performance in the victory.
 
The win improved the Falcons' overall record to 25-10 (9-3 MAC Commonwealth).
 
The first two frames proved to be scoreless between the two sides before the Mules got on the board first in the top of the fifth inning, using a two-out RBI-single off the bat of Gillian Jack to claim a 1-0 edge. The Falcons answered promptly in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff double from Book. Alexa Burger worked a walk two batters later, and after a pop out from Kyley Mellage, Shannon stepped up to the plate with an RBI chance with two outs. Shannon pulled a fastball over the left field fence to plate both Book and Burger as Messiah jumped ahead 3-1.
 
For the remainder of the game, Collison continued to put away hitters as the Falcons tacked on insurance runs. Messiah scored a run on three hits in the bottom of the fourth as Book provided the run-scoring knock, a double to center field to plate Olivia Denmark. At the end of four frames, the Falcons led Muhlenberg, 4-1.
 
Litwin led off the bottom of the sixth inning and tallied a homerun herself, a solo shot to left field to increase Messiah's lead to 5-2. Burger contributed later in the inning, providing an RBI-single to right field. The Falcons totaled four hits in the frame and increased their lead to 6-2.
 
Collison was back in the circle to close out the game for the Falcons and benefitted from a terrific defensive play from her catcher, Shannon. Cicchetti led off the inning with a short popup behind the plate. Shannon reacted late to the ball, but tracked it down for a phenomenal diving catch to make her defensive mark on the contest. The Mules threatened in the inning, plating a run, but Maggie Chinnadurai closed out the game in the circle to claim her fourth save of the season and seal Messiah's 6-3 win.
 
Collison struck out five batters in the victory.
 
The contest was originally scheduled to be a doubleheader, but Game Two was officially cancelled in the fourth inning due to inclement weather.
 
What's Next
Messiah (25-10, 9-3 MAC Commonwealth) returns to action this Wednesday, Apr. 26, hosting Stevenson University at Starry Softball Field for a conference doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.