GRANTHAM, PA. – On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah softball team split a doubleheader with Penn College in their home opener. In game one, both teams were pitching shutouts, with neither team breaking through. Fallon Feaser had only allowed five hits through the first seven innings, but the Falcons could not bring one home to grab a lead. It wasn't until the eighth inning where the Wildcats ended the drought with a single to score two runners, taking a 2-0 lead. Messiah was unable to mount the comeback in the bottom of the eighth, despite a Feaser single to cut the deficit to just one run. After dropping game one 2-1, the Falcons rallied behind strong pitching from Maggie Chinnadurai. Messiah was able to score five runs through the first two innings thanks to big at bats from Feaser, Rebekah Wiley, Haylie Fenstermaker, capped off by a home run from Hannah Dyer. Entering the third up 5-0, the Falcons put a stamp on the day with an eight run third inning to put into effect the 10 plus run rule. Messiah would end up winning game two 13-3 two innings later.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will take on Marymount University in a doubleheader Wednesday, Mar. 5 beginning at 2:00p.m.
 
Game One – Penn College 2 Messiah 1
How It Happened:
The Falcons cruised through the first half of the inning and were able to put two on with Lucy Murphy and Kandice Schlabach both reaching by singles. However, they were stranded there with the Falcons getting pushed out the inning with a ground out.
 
Over the next five innings, either team did much as both pitchers seemed spotless forcing three and outs, leaving both the Falcons and the Wildcats scoreless all the way up until the final inning.
 
Heading into the seventh, Penn College caused a bit of a scare putting two runners on with a double to center and a walk. However, Fallon Feaser stayed composed striking out the side and forcing two ground outs to get out of the top half of the inning. Messiah would have the bottom of the lineup due up to potentially end the game, but despite a Brielle Rosario double to right center, and Haylie Fenstermaker reaching on a fielding error, the Falcons were unable to drive that run home, forcing an eighth inning.
 
Putting a runner on second to begin the inning, proved to be the difference for Penn College. After one of the Wildcats reached on a fielder's choice advancing the runner to third, following two ground outs, a single to left field would bring both runners home to grab a 2-0 lead. Murphy put on second, Feaser would take advantage with a single to score a hustling Murphy to bring the Falcons within one. Trailing 2-1 with no one out and a runner on second, the Falcons were looking to walk off the Wildcats. However, Penn College forced three straight outs to end the game and hand Messiah their first loss at home.
 
Stats:
Kandice Schlabach finished game one going two for four at the plate, while Brielle Rosario picked up two hits of her own. Allie Book, Lucy Murphy, and Fallon Feaser all tallied hits. Fallon Feaser in the circle pitched a complete game, striking out four allowing two runs.
 
Game Two - Messiah 13 Penn College 3
How It Happened:
Maggie Chinnadurai would get the call to start game two and would not disappoint. Following a quick three and out with two strikeouts, the Falcons would strike early with one. Hannah Dyer would work her way to second following a hit by pitch and a steal. After a Murphy ground out, advancing Dyer to third, Feaser brought her home with a hard ground out to second to give Messiah the early 1-0 lead.
 
Following another impressive inning from Chinnadurai, the Falcons would take advantage of some errors to extend their lead. Allie Book would work her way on with a lead off walk, followed by Rosario reaching on an error advancing Book to third and herself to second. Jaden Keister would load the bases with a walk, setting up a Rebekah Wiley ground out to send Book home. After a pick off, Haylie Fenstermaker would single down the left field line to score one more. Dyer closed out the inning with a bomb to right center giving Messiah the 5-0 lead.
 
Chinnadurai continued her strong outing striking out two more, putting her total to five on the day. Messiah turned it up another gear putting on a clinic in the bottom of the third. The Falcons put the first four runners on with Feaser, Kandice Schlabach, Book, and Rosario all reaching, with Schlabach and Rosario picking up RBI to give Messiah the 8-0 lead. After Penn College picked up an out, Wiley, Fenstermaker, would make their way on the base path taking advantage of some Wildcats errors to score two more. Following another Dyer walk and a stolen base, Murphy brought her home with a single, than after advancing all the way to third, a Feaser ground out rounded out the inning scoring Murphy to give Messiah the 13-0 lead.
 
Despite the Wildcats causing some damage in the fourth to bring home two runs, the Falcons got out the top half of the inning still leading 13-2. Messiah would strand two on in the bottom of the fourth setting up a fifth inning looking to close out the game with a 10 plus rule effect. Despite Penn College bringing home one more, Chinnadurai closed out the game with two more strikeouts giving Messiah the 13-3 win.
 
Stats:
Maggie Chinnadurai had a strong start for the Falcons, going 5.0 IP with seven strikeouts only giving up four hits. Kandice Schlabach picked up another two hits with one run. Hannah Dyer accounted for two runs off a solo shot to right, while Murphy, Feaser, Rosario, Kylie Thompson, Wiley, Fenstermaker, and Sierra Emery all picked up hits in the win.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will travel to Arlington, VA for a doubleheader with the Saints of Marymount University Wednesday, Mar. 5th.