GRANTHAM, PA. – On a rare Sunday afternoon, the Messiah Softball team used late runs in the sixth inning to propel them past York College 3-1 in game one of the doubleheader. Fallon Feaser was strong in the circle only surrendering one run in the sixth before being relieved by Maggie Chinnadurai who closed out the game. In game two, the Falcons used two explosive innings, scoring four in the third and five in the fifth including a walk off Hannah Dyer three run home run to end the game with the eight-run rule.
 
Up Next:
The Falcons will take on Susquehanna University Tuesday, April. 15th.
 
Game One: Messiah 3 York 1
How It Happened:
The Falcons struck early in the game getting a run on the board in the first inning. Hannah Dyer led things off by getting hit by a pitch, leading her to steal a bag and get to second. Fallon Feaser would provide the run with an RBI single up the middle.
 
Over the next four innings, both teams starting pitchers were dialed in. Neither starter surrendered a run over the four-inning span, with minimal runners reaching base. It wasn't until a threatening spot for the Falcons in the fourth inning when Sierra Emery worked her way to third base pitch running for Maggie Chinnadurais base hit. However, the Spartans were able to work their way out the inning heading into the fifth still trailing by one.
 
York put runners on after a walk and a single to cause a scare for the Falcons. But Messiah remained composed taking what the batters gave them and managed to get out of the inning still leading by one.
 
Despite putting runners on in the bottom of the fifth with a single from Allie Book, the Falcons were unable to expand the lead with only two innings left to play. It would be in the top of the sixth where the Spartans finally capitalized only being down one run. Despite the first two batters retiring, a triple to right field, and one double later and the Spartans had tied the game back up
 
Chinnadurai had come into relief in the top of the sixth to limit the damage, her strikeout would set up the Falcons to potentially regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Jaden Keister led things off with a double down the left field line, but unfortunate base running took the Falcons out of scoring position with Chinnadurai reaching first on a fielder's choice. However, good plate discipline from Dyer and Asia Harding loaded the bases for Feaser. The starting pitcher would make up for surrendering the lead with an RBI sacrifice fly to give Messiah the 2-1 edge. Two walks later and the Falcons had grown the lead one run further as they headed into the final inning up too.
 
Chinnadurai would retire the Spartans with a smooth three up three down seventh inning to hand Messiah the 3-1 win in game one of the doubleheader.
 
Stats:
Fallon Feaser pitched five innings striking out five batters, surrendering one run. Maggie Chinnadurai picked up the win striking out two over one inning. Feaser, Allie Book, Brielle Rosario, Jaden Keister, and Chinnadurai all tallied a hit in the win.
 
Game Two: Messiah 9 York 1
Both teams came out the gates fast with the Spartans putting a runner on early, however, Maggie Chinnadurai struck out two more batters to get out the top of the first. Messiah on the other hand would put two runners on with Hannah Dyer and Kandice Schlabach reaching base. But that would be all the action for the inning as York's starting pitcher worked her way out the inning.
 
Following a quick second inning from both teams, the Falcons turned it up in the third inning. After surrendering a lead off single, Messiah worked their way out of the scare setting up what would be a big third inning. Chinnadurai led things off with a long double to left field, setting up pitch runner Sierra Emery to steal third. Dyers bunt would score Emery and her speed allowed her to take second on the throw. After Lucy Murphy reached on an error and advanced on a throw, Feasers RBI ground out gave Messiah the 2-0 lead.  A couple of pitches later and Kandice Schlabach would send a ball to right field that carried over the fence to open up the game for Messiah. Despite singles from Allie Book and Jaden Keister, the Falcons did not add on to the lead.
 
Now leading 4-0, the Spartans desperately needed a response. A couple of hits allowed York to put runners on setting up a sacrifice fly to get one run back, cutting the Falcons lead to 4-1. Chinnadurai managed to keep her hitting alive with another double. But Messiah did nothing with it to enter the fifth inning.
 
After another 1-2-3 inning for the Spartans, Messiah took advantage and added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth and put the game away. Schlabach worked her way on base, then one batter later a Keister single gave Messiah the 5-1 lead. Brielle Rosario picked up a single of her own putting runners on first and second for the hot hitting Chinnadurai. A couple of pitches later a single from Chinnadurai scored one more. Then finally the nail in the coffin by Dyer as she roped a home run to right center ended the game, giving Messiah the 9-1 win.
 
Stats:
Maggie Chinnadurai pitched a complete game, striking out four batters. Chinnadurai would go 3-3 at the plate with two doubles. Kandice Schlabach and Jaden Keister each grabbed two hits, while Hannah Dyer, Allie Book, and Brielle Rosario all picked up hits.
 
What's Up Next:
The Falcons will host Susquehanna University in a non-conference tilt on Tuesday, April. 15th.