READING, PA. – The Messiah softball team traveled to Alvernia University for a conference double header against the Golden Wolves. The Falcons took both games from the Wolves, winning game one 7-3 and winning game two 4-2. In game one the Falcons had an all-around contribution with nine different players securing a hit.  While Alexa Burger, Kandice Schlabach, and Elianna Litwin all had two hits on the day. Shannon McKenzie, Allie Book, and Schlabach all brought in two runs each. McKenzie and Schlaback would also homer in this game, in what was a dominant performance from the dish. Lydia Collison secured her second win of the season, striking out 11 batters through 7.0 IP only surrendering three runs.
 
In game two, the Falcons were led by McKenzie Shannon who went 3 for 4 from the plate driving in one run. Alexa Burger, Kandice Schlabach, and Paige Eakes all had two hits in the game. Maggie Chinnadurai started the game in the circle and went 3.0 IP with 3 Ks, allowing three hits, and two runs. Kelli Durbin also pitched 3.0 innings, striking out two. Lastly Fallon Feaser closed the game out in the seventh not allowing a single hit. A strong hitting performance led to the Falcons 4-2 win on the road.
 
 
Game One – Messiah 7, Alvernia 3
The Falcons did most of their damage in the top of the first. A single up the middle from Alexa Burger, followed by Hannah Dyer getting hit by a pitch put two runners on with no outs. Following a SAC bunt and a pop up, an error from the center fielder led to both Dyer and Burger scoring with Allie Book on first to give the Falcons an early 2-0 lead. Kandice Schlabach would follow that up with a homerun to left field, extending the Falcons lead to 4-0. Brielle Rosario and Elianna Litwin got in on the action, both hitting singles to keep the inning alive with two outs. Paige Eakes would finish the inning off with a single to right giving the Falcons a 5-0 lead through the top of the first. Lydia Collison breezed through the bottom of the first, forcing a pop up and striking out two.
 
The Falcons were not done scoring yet. To open things up in the top of the second, Dyer would rope a single down the right field line. Dyer would soon steal second putting her in prime position to score. McKenzie Shannon wasted no time bringing her home as she crushed a ball to left field, extending the lead to 7-0. Book, Litwin, and Schlabach would all reach base in what looked like another big inning. However, the Falcons could not drive them home stranding three on base to end the top half of the inning.
 
Over the next five innings, the Falcons offense could not muster up another run despite a runner reaching base in each inning. Lydia Collison would remain dominant in the circle, only allowing one hit through 6.5 innings pitched. It wasn't until the seventh where the Golden Wolves managed to bring in three runs off three hits. However, two fly outs and a strikeout would end the inning, giving the Falcons the 7-3 game one win.
 
Game Two – Messiah  4, Alvernia 2
Messiah was quiet in the top half of the first following a Alexa Burger double to center. However, the Golden Wolves determined to put runs together early managed to put runners in scoring position and punch one in to take an early 1-0 through the first inning.
 
Allie book led things off for the Falcons with a double to left. Book would advance to third off a Schlabach grounder to second. However, with a runner in scoring position the Falcons were unable to bring it home as the Golden Wolves escaped the top half of the frame unscathed. In the bottom of the second, Alvernia got another runner home after a series of hits to grow their lead to 2-0 through two innings played.
 
The third inning was where the Falcons caught life. Paige Eakes hits a double to right center to lead things off for Messiah. Burger followed her up with a bunt single, putting runners on first and third. Elianna Litwin would reach on a fielder's choice advancing Burger to third, but Eakes was thrown out at home saving a run for now. However, McKenzie Shannon put matters into her hands knocking a single to third scoring one run, advancing all runners. That would be all for the Falcons in that inning, as the Golden Wolves escaped the frame only allowing one run.
 
Following a quick bottom half of the third, the Falcons came back to the plate with urgency, A single from Schlabach got things going for Messiah. Following a pop up to short, Ali Wagner hit a double to left center putting runners at second and third. Eakes would single up the middle scoring one more and advancing off the throw to put runners yet again on second and third with a 3-2 lead. However, the Golden Wolves got throw the rest of the inning only trailing one.
 
A pitching change for the Falcons to begin the bottom of the fourth, led to Kelli Durbin putting away her first three batters to keep the lead intact heading into the fifth,
 
Messiah again brought a runner home after a Shannon double and a Schlabach single to extend the lead to 4-2. Despite putting a runner on, the Golden Wolves yet again limited the damage staying within striking distance now trailing two. Durbin got into a scare in the bottom of the frame walking two batters but stranded them both with no damage done.
 
The top of the sixth was quick for the Falcons after going one, two, three. Alvernia on the other hand caused a scare for Messiah. Following a hit and a walk the Golden Wolves had runners on first and second. However, Durbin managed to work through the inning leaving two runners on for the Golden Wolves and no runs allowed.
 
Heading into the top of the seventh with the Falcons leading 4-2, the Falcons looked to add more insurance runs. Alvernia had other plans, as their pitcher got through the frame only giving up a double to Shannon, giving the Golden Wolves one last chance make a comeback. Fallon Feaser entered the game to close it out for the Falcons, and she did just that. After surrendering a lead off walk, Feaser forced three straight pop ups to give the Falcons the sweep over Alvernia.
 
What's Up Next:
The Falcons will be home for a double header against Gettysburg College Thursday, Mar 21^st. First pitch is set for 3:00p.m.