GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Tuesday afternoon, the Messiah softball team took down the River Hawks of Susquehanna University in game one of today's double header. The Falcons came from behind with a three run seventh inning rally to tie the game up and head into extras at 6-6. After a shutout inning from Maggie Chinnadurai in the circle, the Falcons used smart base running and speed from Hannah Dyer to score off the fielder's choice from Fallon Feaser to walk off the River Hawks 7-6. In Game two, the Falcons were lights out from the plate riding the momentum from a three-run blast from Allie Book in the first inning, and a four run second inning to propel them to a 9-1 win through five.
 
Up Next:
The Falcons will host Eastern University Thursday April. 17th.
 
Game One: Messiah 7 Susquehanna 6
How It Happened:
Fallon Feaser started in the circle for the Falcons with a quick 1-2-3- inning. The Falcons managed to get Lucy Murphy in scoring position but could not bring her home. After retiring the first two batters, the River Hawks were able to get one through to give them a 1-0 lead.
 
The Falcons, however, responded with well with a run of their own. Maggie Chinnadurai got things rolling with a double to left center, setting up pitch runner Sierra Emery to steal third. A couple of pitches later, Ali Wagner's fielder's choice tied the game up at 1-1. Haylie Fenstermaker managed to poke a single into right field, but the River Hawks were able to catch Wagner stealing to end the inning.
 
After a quick third inning from both squads, the River Hawks used four straight singles to give themselves a 2-1 advantage. One walk later and the Falcons were forced to make a pitching change trailing 3-1 with the bases loaded. Kelli Durbin was lights out in the circle as she struck out three straight batters to get the Falcons out the inning. Messiah countered the River Hawks to tie the game up in the bottom of the third. Allie Book led off with a double to right center to get the inning started. One batter later and Ali Wagner reached once again on a fielder's choice to advance Book to third. Jaden Keister forced a walk, and the Falcons had loaded the bases. Fenstermaker would later tie the game up with a single to right field.
 
Susquehanna's bats were determined to regain the lead as they used four singles and a double to capture a 6-3 lead with only two innings to play. Allie Book and Kandice Schlabach would reach base in the bottom of the fifth, but no runner would come home as the Falcons still trailed 6-3 heading into the sixth. Following a rare quick sixth inning from both squads' bats, the Falcons had one last inning to tie or capture a lead.
 
Durbin did a good job to hold off the River Hawks in the top of the seventh, setting up her team to potentially mount a comeback. Book began the rally with a one out double. After a pop out, down to their final strike, Wagner provided a single to score Book and advance to third on an error. Keister drew a walk and allowed pitch runner Elizabeth Donofry to use her speed and advance to third on a throw off a wild pitch that scored Wagner. Trailing 6-5 the person you would want at the plate Fenster would supply the game tying run with a double to left field and head into extras.
 
Maggie Chinnadurai would come into relieve Durbin after Durbin got the first two outs. Chinnadurai provided what would be the final strikeout to keep the game tied at 8-8. Dyers speed at second allowed a bunt from Lucy Murphy to advance her to third. A couple of pitches later and Feaser provided the game winning fielder's choice hit.
 
Stats:
Fallon Feaser pitched three innings striking out two, Kelli Durbin pitched a strong four innings with eight strikeouts, and Maggie Chinnadurai picked up the win with one strikeout. Haylie Fenstermaker finished 3-3 at the plate, including the game tying double. Allie Book picked up three hits of her own with two runs.
 
Game Two: Messiah 9 Susquehanna 1
Maggie Chinnadurai was once again dominant in the circle for the Falcons. However, the Falcons bats came alive that provided the spark they needed after a long game one. Hannah Dyer led things off with a bunt single, stealing second a couple of pitches later. Lucy Murphy would lay down a bunt as well to move Dyer and put runners on the corners for the heart of the lineup. Despite back-to-back outs, Book provided the jump start with a three-run home run to right field.
 
Following another 1-2-3 inning from Chinnadurai, the Falcons added to the score with four more runs. Haylie Fenstermaker picked up where she left off with a triple to left field, then three straight hits from Rebekah Wiley, Dyer, and Murphy game Messiah a 5-0 lead. Despite a swinging strikeout causing a throw to first, Dyer and Murphy utilized their speed to score off an arrent throw from the River Hawks.
 
Now Leading 7-0, the next inning flew by as both teams seemed to have cooled down heading into the fourth with the rain looming. Just as the weather got bad, the River Hawks managed to score one and trail 7-1 just before the weather stoppage. Following a resume of play, the Falcons came to bat and Dyer immediately jumped on a fast ball to secure a leadoff triple. Following two straight outs, a Schlabach single scored grew the lead back to seven.
 
Another three up three down in the fifth, the Falcons were hoping to walk off the River Hawks in the fifth inning. Chinnadurai put things in the right direction with a single to right field, setting up pitch runner Donofry to potentially be the winning run. Wagner came through for the Falcons with another double to end the day in grand fashion.
 
Stats:
Maggie Chinnadurai pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters. Chinnadurai also picked up two hits, to go along with Hannah Dyers three hits. Six other Falcons would reach base via hit.
 
What's Up Next:
The Falcons will host Eastern University Thursday, April. 17^th in what will be a first-place showdown for hosting rights in this season's MAC Commonwealth tournament.