VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Messiah University Softball team was in action on Saturday afternoon for opening action in the 2025 NCAA Regional Tournament against Swarthmore College. After an early 2-0 lead for the Garnet, Messiah played solid defense to keep them from adding runs until a four run fourth inning. The Falcons put up two in the top of the sixth, but it wasn't enough as Swarthmore claimed the 6-2 victory.

The Falcons will return to action at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, when they take on Western New England University. The winner of that game will play at 4:00 p.m. against the loser of the Virginia Wesleyan and Swarthmore game at 11:00 a.m. on Friday.

How It Happened
After dropping to a 1-0 deficit after one inning of play, the Falcons began the second inning with back-to-back singles for Kandice Schlabach and Allie Book. With the pair on second and third, the Falcons were unable to piece together action to score a run before the Garnets added one to extend their lead to 2-0.

A scoreless third was followed by a two-out single for Allie Book in the top of the fourth but the Falcons were again unable to get her across the plate. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Garnets hit a three-run double to extend the lead for Swarthmore. They added on more run to take the 6-0 lead heading into the fifth.

Hannah Dyer started action in the sixth with a leadoff double up the middle. A single for Fallon Feaser led to both Falcons in scoring position as Dyer advanced the third and Feaser took second on the play. A groundout for Brielle Rosario knocked in Dyer before Kandice Schlabach hit a sacrifice fly to score Feaser and bring the score to 6-2. Kelli Durbin kept the Garnet to one hit in the bottom of the sixth to bring the Falcons up to bat, hoping to keep the game alive. The Falcons were unable to record a hit and the Garnet took game one 6-2.

Stats
Allie Book led the Falcons, going 2-3. Hannah Dyer added a double and a walk. Brielle Rosario and Kandice Schlabach each collected an RBI. Maggie Chinnadurai had three strikeouts across 3.2 innings.

Up Next
The Falcons will return to action at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, when they take on Western New England University. The winner of that game will play at 4:00 p.m. against the loser of the Virginia Wesleyan and Swarthmore game at 11:00 a.m. on Friday.