GRANTHAM, PA. – On Wednesday afternoon, the Messiah softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against the University of Mary Washington. The Falcons were able to battle in game one despite surrendering a 5-4 lead in the seventh, to walk it off with a Fallon Feaser fielder's choice. The Falcons were able to ride the hot hands of Hannah Dyer and Feaser at the plate to go along with five other Falcons hits. In game two, despite the hard-fought contest, the Eagles were able to escape Grantham with a 7-5 win on a questionable foul call in what would have been a game tying home run in the seventh from Kandice Schlabach.
 
Up Next:
The Falcons will travel to No. 10 ranked Salisbury University Thursday, April 24th.
 
How It Happened:
Game One: Messiah 6 Mary Washington 5
 
The Falcons got off to a strong start following a quick three batter inning from Fallon Feaser. Hannah Dyer did what she does best and reached base, working her away to second on a stolen bag. Feaser delivered the first run of the game with a double down the left field line. Following a walk, Allie Book added to the total with an RBI double to score two more. Despite singles from Maggie Chinnadurai and Brielle Rosario, the inning ended their with the Falcons leading 3-0.
 
Following a quick inning and a half from both teams, Messiah was able to add to their total with a run in the bottom of the third. Feaser led things off with a single to center field, advancing to second on a Mary Washington mistake. A couple of pitches later, Kandice Schlabach delivered with an RBI single to give Messiah the 4-0 lead.
 
The Eagles were able to finally get on the board in the top of the fourth on the back of a single and a couple of walks to close the gap to 4-1. After a rare three up three down inning from the Falcons, the Eagles took advantage in the top of the fifth with two more runs to cut the deficit to 4-3.
 
Despite a lead off single from Dyer, the Falcons were unable to score entering the sixth inning with the momentum in the Eagles favor. Mary Washinton would continue to ride the wave and use a multi-hit inning to tie the game up. Messiah, however, remained composed entering the bottom of the fifth to regain a 5-4 lead. Books lead off walk set up pitch runner Sierra Emery to advance all the way to third after back-to-back ground outs. Jaden Keister came through for the Falcons with an RBI single a couple of pitches later to recapture the lead.
 
The Eagles did not lose confidence despite trailing once again, as they rallied behind a couple of walks and three hits to tie the game back up at 5-5. Thankfully, senior Chinnadurai was able to work herself out the inning and preserve the tie game entering the bottom of the seventh. Dyer as she did so often led off with a double, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt from Ali Wagner. One batter later and Feaser provided the walk off win with a fielder's choice RBI to give Messiah the game one victory.
 
Stats:
Hannah Dyer led all Falcons going 3-4 from the plate. Fallon Feaser finished with two hits including the walk off. Five other Falcons secured hits in the win, while Maggie Chinnadurai picked up the win in the circle.
 
Game Two: Mary Washington 7 Messiah 5
 
The Eagles were able to strike early and strike fast against Maggie Chinnadurai in what was a rare occurrence for the Senior Mary Washington took advantage of seeing the dominant Chinnadurai to close out game one to score four runs in the first inning, putting the Falcons in a hole to start game two. Luckily, the Falcons bats wasted no time getting those runs back thanks to hits from Ali Wagner, Fallon Feaser, and Kandice Schlabach to trail 4-3.
 
After what seemed like both pitchers settling in with a fast second inning, the Eagles tacked on to the lead in the top of the third. Following a pitching change from Messiah, Mary Washington did not shy away from getting to pitcher Kelli Durbin. Unfortunate mistakes for the Falcons allowed the Eagles to gain a two-run lead, then with runners still on a single put Mary Washington ahead with a 7-3 advantage. Despite Schlabach providing an RBI ground out in the bottom of the third, the Falcons still trailed 7-4.
 
Over the next three innings, Durbin settled in only giving up one hit striking out two batters over the long stretch to keep Messiah within striking distance heading into the final inning. Despite giving up a lead off single, the Falcons were able to work their way through the mess and enter the home stretch down by three.
 
The Falcons did themselves no favors with back-to-back outs to get the inning started, hoping to pull out a late comeback. Wagner, however, did provide some life with a triple to right field with the heart of the lineup ready for a chance. Feaser came through with an RBI single to keep the inning alive and cut the deficit to two. In a strong at bat, Schlabach looked to have the game tying home run, but the home umpire saw otherwise as he called the ball just foul, completely halting the momentum swing. Two pitches later and the Eagles would escape the late rally and capture the 7-5 road win.
 
Stats:
Kelli Durbin pitched five innings, striking out five batters, giving up two runs. Fallon Feaser finished 4-4 from the plate, while Ali Wagner picked up two hits of her own. Kandice Schlabach and Brielle Rosario were the only other Falcons with hits.
 
What's Up Next:
The Falcons will travel to Salisbury, MD for a match up with No. 10 ranked Salisbury University Thursday, April 24th at 4:00p.m.