GRANTHAM, Pa. — The Messiah softball team took on the Marymount Saints in a double-header on Friday afternoon for the Falcons' home opener. The Falcons split their twin-bill with the Saints, winning Game One 6-2 and dropping the nightcap 14-6 in five innings. The Falcons were led on the day by Jaden Keister, Alexa Burger, and Kandice Schlabach. Lydia Collison earned the win in Game One with a complete game in the circle. Collison struck out six batters and gave up nine hits through seven innings of work.
 
The Falcons move to 2-5 on the season after Friday's split and will be back in action on Saturday afternoon against the Mary Washington Eagles in Fredricksburg, Va. for a doubleheader that begins at 12:00 p.m.
 
Game One – Messiah defeats Marymount – 6-2  
Both Messiah and Marymount remained scoreless after the first frame, but the Saints got the scoring started in the second inning off of a fielder's choice. then followed up by an RBI bunt single. The run scoring plays gave Marymount a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second. The Falcons came right back in the bottom half of the frame as Allie Book and Kandice Schlabach reached base early. Jaden Keister then knocked a two-run double over the left fielder's head to tie things up at 2-2.
 
The Falcons didn't stop there as they tallied three more runs on of a bases-loaded walk from Hannah Dyer and a two-run single from McKenzie Shannon, sending home Alexa Burger and Brielle Rosario. 
 
After a big second inning for both teams, Marymount was looking to lessen the deficit in the top of the fifth. The Saints had a runner in scoring position and hit a double off the wall. Brielle Rosario and Paige Eakes put together a great relay to McKenzie Shannon at home to make a huge play at the plate to save a run.
 
The Falcons added another run in the bottom of fifth as Jaden Keister knocked an RBI single, bringing home Kandice Schlabach. 
 
Jaden Keister led the way for the Falcons with three RBI and two hits. Alexa Burger went 3-4 at the plate, scoring a run. Lydia Collison picked up the win, pitching all seven innings and striking out six. 
 
Game Two — Marymount defeats Messiah – 14-6
Marymount used a nine-run first inning to build a massive lead. Messiah did not roll over, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first on a home run by Kandice Schlabach. It was the first big fly of the season for the Falcons.
 
Marymount added three insurance runs in the second and two more in the fourth. While Messiah did not go down easy, they were only able to push one run across in the second and two runs in the fourth. In the end, the Falcons fell by a 14-6 final score in five innings.
 
Hannah Dyer knocked an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth to cap off the scoring in the contest.
 
In Game Two, Messiah was led by Kandice Schlabach with two hits and three RBI. Alexa Burger also had two hits and two runs scored.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons are next in action tomorrow afternoon as they head to the University of Mary Washington for a double header, with the first game starting at 12:00 p.m.