GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University softball team split the regular season finale doubleheader against Lebanon Valley College on Monday, April 29. In game one, both pitchers were cruising through two innings. The Dutchmen scored four runs in the top of the third to take a 4-0 lead. The Falcons responded with a run in the bottom of the third to reduce the Dutchmen lead to three. The Falcons offense then exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-4 lead. The Falcons then added on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-4 lead. Lydia Collison finished the game strong to throw a complete game. Collison pitched the complete game allowing four runs (two earned), on seven hits, two walks, and struck out four Dutchmen batters. Paige Eakes led the Falcons offense with three hits, including a home run, a double, three RBIs, and two runs. Kandice Schlabach added two hits and four RBIs. Brielle Rosario and Elianna Litwin each added two hits.
 
In game two, again both pitchers dueled for two innings to open the game. The Dutchmen broke through with a run in the top of third to take a 1-0 lead. The Dutchmen then added an insurance run in the top of the fifth to take a 2-0 lead. The Falcons battled back and scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to reduce the Dutchmen lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the seventh, the Dutchmen's center fielder made a game saving diving catch in center field to prevent the Falcons from tying the game to win 2-1 and end the Falcons winning streak at 16 games. Fallon Feaser pitched a complete game allowing two earned runs, on eight hits, two walks, and struck out two Dutchmen batters. Allie Book led the Falcons with two hits and an RBI. Kandice Schlabach and Brielle Rosario each added a hit. Hannah Dyer scored the lone run for the Falcons.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Penn Park at the University of Pennsylvania for the MAC Commonwealth Tournament. The Falcons earned the second seed and will face the third-seeded Spartans of York College on Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Game One – Messiah 10, LVC 4
Both teams' pitchers dealt scoreless innings for the first two innings of the game. Both teams got one runner in scoring position, but could not drive the run in.
 
The Dutchmen though looked to break the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth. The Dutchmen scored four runs on three hits, a walk, and a Falcons error. The Falcons looked to answer, and Elianna Litwin led off the bottom of the third with a single. Then Paige Eakes hit a double to right center to put runners on second and third with no outs. After a pop out, Allie Book reached first on an error by the Dutchmen third baseman to load the bases. Kandice Schlabach then grounded into a fielder's choice, but the Falcons were able to score a run and reduce the Dutchmen lead to 4-1.
 
After a scoreless top of the fourth the Falcons looked to score more runs in the bottom half. Jaden Keister led off the inning with a walk and Liz Donofry pinch ran for her. Then Brielle Rosario singled to put runners on first and second with no outs. After a flyout, Paige Eakes singled to right center that scored Donofry from second. Hannah Dyer then was hit by a pitch to load the bases with just one out. Alexa Burger then reached on a Dutchmen error that scored a run and then the Falcons scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Kandice Schlabach then hit a two-RBI single to centerfield and then advanced all the way to third after a throwing error by the Dutchmen centerfielder to give the Falcons a 6-4 lead. McKenzie Shannon then hit a sacrifice fly to push the Falcons lead to 7-4.
 
After another scoreless inning for the Dutchmen in the top of the fifth, the Falcons looked to extend their lead in the bottom half. Elianna Litwin hit a one out single through the left side and then Paige Eakes hit a two-run home run to left center to push the Falcons lead to five. Hannah Dyer followed the home run with a double down the left field. After a groundout advanced Dyer to third, Kandice Schlabach then hit an RBI double to left center to give the Falcons a 10-4 lead.
 
The offense for the Falcons did not add any more runs, but Lydia Collison was dominant in her final four innings to shut down the Dutchmen to give the Falcons a 10-4 win.
 
Lydia Collison pitched a complete game allowing four runs (two earned), on seven hits, two walks, and struck out four Dutchmen batters. Paige Eakes led the Falcons offense with three hits, including a home run, a double, three RBIs, and two runs. Kandice Schlabach added two hits and four RBIs. Brielle Rosario and Elianna Litwin each added two hits.
 
Game Two – LVC 2, Messiah 1
Game two started similar to game one with both pitchers throwing scoreless innings for the first two innings. The Dutchmen though got on the board with a run on two hits and a Falcons' error to take a 1-0 after three innings.
 
The Dutchmen would add another run in the top of the fifth on two hits, but Fallon Feaser did a great job of limiting the damage and working out of a bases loaded jam to keep the Falcons within two.
 
The Falcons looked to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Hannah Dyer led off the inning reaching first on an error by the Dutchmen third basemen. After a strikeout, Kandice Schlabach walked to put runners on first and second with one out. After a strikeout, Allie Book hit a clutch RBI single through the right side to put the Falcons down 2-1. The Dutchmen got out of the bases loaded jam to keep the Falcons down by one.
 
The Falcons looked for a late run to keep the game going. Brielle Roasrio led off the inning with a pinch-hit triple down the right field line. After two pop outs, Alexa Burger sent a ball to center field, but the Dutchmen center fielder made a diving play to end the game with the Dutchmen winning 2-1.
 
Fallon Feaser pitched a complete game allowing two earned runs, on eight hits, two walks, and struck out two Dutchmen batters. Allie Book led the Falcons with two hits and an RBI. Kandice Schlabach and Brielle Rosario each added a hit. Hannah Dyer scored the lone run for the Falcons.
 
Next
The Falcons travel to Penn Park at the University of Pennsylvania for the MAC Commonwealth Tournament. The Falcons earned the second seed and will face the third-seeded Spartans of York College on Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m.