SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Messiah University softball team used a strong offensive performance in both games that led to a sweep over the Susquehanna University River Hawks.
The Falcons used an offensive explosion to defeat Susquehanna, 17-8 in game one. The Falcons started the game strong with a big three-run inning in the top of the first. After allowing a run in the bottom of the second, the Falcons poured on four more runs in the top of the third to extend their lead to 7-1. After the Falcons scored a run in the top of the fourth, the River Hawks scored four in the bottom of the fourth to reduce the Falcons lead to 8-5. The Falcons scored four more runs in the top of the fifth and five runs in the top of the seventh to pull away from the River Hawks and win game one 17-8. Kandice Schlabach had a monster day at the plate with five runs, four hits, three RBIs, and hit two solo home runs. McKenzie Shannon also totaled four hits, five RBIs, and two runs. Jaden Keister, Allie Book, and Paige Eakes each totaled three hits.
 
In game two, the Falcons used timely hitting and a complete game from Fallon Feaser in the circle. The Falcons took the lead in the top of the third with two runs. After the River Hawks scored a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Falcons added a run in the top of the sixth and then two more in the top of the seventh to defeat the River Hawks 5-1. Fallon Feaser pitched a complete game, allowing only one run, on three hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Paige Eakes led the Falcons offense with three hits, two runs, and an RBI. Hannah Dyer totaled two hits, one run, and an RBI.

Game One – Messiah 17, Susquehanna 8
In the top of the first, the Falcons looked to open the game strong. Hannah Dyer led the game off with a bunt single and then Alexa Burger walked. After a double steal put runners on second and third with no outs, Kandice Schlabach hit an RBI single and then advanced to second on the throw to give the Falcons a one-run lead. Then Jaden Keister hit a sacrifice fly to center field, and after an error the Falcons were able to score two runs to jump to a 3-0 lead. Lydia Collison then got the River Hawks to go down in order in the bottom of the first.
 
The Falcons did not score any runs in the top of the second, even though Paige Eakes and
Alexa Burger singled. In the bottom half, the River Hawks scored a run on a hit and a Falcons error to reduce the Falcons lead to 3-1.
 
The Falcons in the bottom of the third got the inning off with a bang with a solo home run from Kandice Schlabach. Jaden Keister and Allie Book then singled to give the Falcons runners on first and second with no outs. Then McKenzie Shannon hit a two-RBI double to left center increasing the Falcons lead to five. Then Brielle Rosario hit an RBI single to push the Falcons lead to 7-1 through the top of the third.
 
In the top of the fourth the Falcons added another run with the second solo home run of the game from Kandice Schlabach to push the Falcons lead to 8-1. The River Hawks though added four runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to reduce the Falcons lead to 8-5 through four innings.
 
In the top of the fifth, Paige Eakes hit a one-out double. Hannah Dyer then followed up the double with a triple to push the Falcons lead to 9-5. Alexa Burger then singled to right field to give the Falcons a six-run lead. After Burger stole second, Kandice Schlabach walked to put runners on first and second. After a ground out, Allie Book then hit a two-RBI single to increase the Falcons lead to seven. Then McKenzie Shannon hit another RBI double to give the Falcons a 13-5 lead through the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth the River Hawks scored two runs on two hits to keep the game alive and the score 13-7.
 
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Falcons bats came alive again in the top of the seventh. Kandice Schlabach led off the inning with a single and then Jaden Keister singled. After a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third, Allie Book hit an RBI single. Then McKenzie Shannon hit her third double of the game that scored two and pushed the Falcons lead to 16-7. After a Brielle Rosario single, Maddie Williams grounded into a double play, but Shannon scored from third and the Falcons increased their lead to 17-7. The River Hawks added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Falcons lead was too much, and the Falcons won game one 17-8.
 
Kandice Schlabach had a monster day at the plate with five runs, four hits, three RBIs, and hit two solo home runs. McKenzie Shannon also totaled four hits, five RBIs, and two runs. Jaden Keister, Allie Book, and Paige Eakes each totaled three hits. Lydia Collison earned the win in the circle for the Falcons, pitching three innings, allowing only one run, one hit, and had four strikeouts. Maggie Chinnadurai earned the save with three innings pitched, allowing three earned runs, on four hits, three walks, and she had four strikeouts.
 
Game Two – Messiah 5, Susquehanna 1
After two scoreless innings to open the game, the Falcons looked to get the offense going in the top of the third. Maddie Williams led off the inning with a single through the left side. Liz Donofry then pinch ran for Williams and then stole second. After Donofry advanced to third on a wild pitch, Paige Eakes then singled up the middle to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Hannah Dyer then singled on a bunt and the Falcons had runners on first and second with one out. After a sac bunt from Alexa Burger, Kandice Schlabach hit an RBI groundout to put the Falcons up 2-0.
 
After more scoreless innings the Rivers Hawks broke through in the bottom of the fifth with a run on a hit and a Falcons error.
 
The Falcons looked to extend their lead in the top of the sixth. Kandice Schlabach led off the inning with a single. After two fielder's choices, Brielle Rosario hit a pinch-hit RBI triple to push the Falcons lead to 3-1.
 
The Falcons looked to keep the offense going in the top of the seventh. Maddie Williams led off the inning reaching first on an error by the River Hawks second basemen. Then Paige Eakes singled to right field, but Williams was thrown out at third. Hannah Dyer then tripled to right center to extend the Falcons lead to three. Alexa Burger then followed up the triple with an RBI single to push the Falcons lead to 5-1. Fallon Feaser finished off her complete game working around a two-out walk to give the Falcons the sweep.
 
Fallon Feaser pitched a complete game, allowing only one run, on three hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Paige Eakes led the Falcons offense with three hits, two runs, and an RBI. Hannah Dyer totaled two hits, one run, and an RBI.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Hood College Blazers on Saturday, April 6 for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.