GRANTHAM, Pa. - On Saturday afternoon, the Messiah softball team claimed their 12th conference title in program history. The Falcons defeated Eastern University twice, winning game one 3-2 on a game winning one run single from from Brielle Rosario, then turned it around to shutout the Eagles in game two 7-0 on the back of Maggie Chinnadurai's impressive performances in the circle. The Falcons will not wait to hear their name in the NCAA Softball Tournament as an automatic qualifier. The Falcons were trailing for the majority of the game when the Eagles took an early 2-0 lead in the second and held it all through the seventh inning. It wasn't until two Eastern errors allowed the Falcons to put runners on, setting up an bases clearing double from Hannah Dyer to tie the game. Brielle Rosario would provide the winning run with a single into left field. In game two, the Falcons road all the momentum after the comeback win and used Maggie Chinnadurai's brilliant pitching to shut out the Eagles. Kandice Schlabach, Rebekah Wiley, Rosario, Fallon Feaser, and Dyer all grabbed RBIs in the champion clinching win.  

How It Happened:
Game One: Messiah 3 Eastern 2
The Falcons were able to get one runner on with a bunt single from Hannah Dyer but were unable to drive her home. In the bottom of the inning, Eastern used a double and a single from the top of the lineup to give them a 1-0 lead. The Falcons caused a scare in the top of the second with Ali Wagner, Rebekah Wiley, and Haylie Fenstermaker loading the bases, but unfortunately no runs were scored as the runners were left stranded.
 
The Eagles struck again in the bottom of the second using back-to-back singles and an error to score their second point of the game. Brielle Rosario provided some life with a double to left field, later advancing to third on a fly out. However, the Falcons were not able to bring her home once again stranding a runner on scoring position.
 
Despite surrendering a walk, Maggie Chinnadurai let her defense do the work with two ground outs and one line out to move into the fourth within striking distance. Once again the Falcons were able to get one runner on, Wagner continued her strong hitting with a single up the middle, but the Eagles defense stayed stout.
 
Following a quick bottom of the fourth from Chinnadurai, the Falcons were down to their last two innings to make up the two run deficit with the top of the lineup due up. Eastern ace showed no signs of slowing down as she pulled out the 1-2-3 inning, as the Eagles maintained that 2-0 lead.
 
The Eagles managed to put two runners on following back-to-back singles, but the Falcons escaped the inning with two straight fly outs. Messiah had the heart of the lineup ready to go, but Eastern had all the answers forcing a three and out, stalling the Falcons momentum. Chinnadurai continued to provide her best efforts shutting down the Eagles once more in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Falcons one final chance to pull off a comeback and keep their season alive. The first two batters for the Falcons were able to reach base by errors, setting up a Fenstermaker ground out to advance both Wagner and Wiley. Following a pitch runner change at second, Dyers great at bat paid off with a double down the left field line to clear the bases and tie the game at 2-2. One batter later and Rosario's hot hitting proved to be the difference with a what would be a game winning single to give the Falcons the 3-2 lead. Chinnadurai retired the final three batters in the bottom of the seventh to force a winner take all game two.

Game Two: Messiah 7 Eastern 0
The Falcons chose to gamble and ride the hot hand of Maggie Chinnadurai back in the circle. The first inning proved the coaches right, as Chinnadurai forced three ground outs early. Instead of waiting seven innings, the Falcons wasted no time in getting on the board. Hannah Dyer led off with a double, later advancing to third on a wild pitch. Brielle Rosario ended up reaching on a fielders choice, but it would be a sacrifice fly from Kandice Schlabach that gave Messiah the 1-0 lead.

The Next two innings flew by as both Chinnadurai and Eastern's pitcher locked in for two scoreless innings, but the Falcons still held on to the 1-0 lead heading into the fourth inning. Following another shutout inning from Chinnadurai, the Falcons bats exploded for a four run inning. Pitch hitter Kylie Thompson got the inning rolling with a lead off double. After an advancement to third on a ground out, Rebekah Wiley put a fly ball into center field to pick up a sacrifice fly to score Thompson. The next four batters would end up reaching through either a walk or error to not only load the bases, but score one more growing their lead to 3-0. Schlabach put a stamp on the game with a single up the middle to give Messiah a 5-0 lead.

Another shutout inning from Chinnadurai completely changed the landscape of the game as Messiah looked to be in the drivers seat with only two innings remaining. In the bottom of the fifth, Ali Wagner and Wiley secured back-to-back singles to put runners in scoring position. Following a walk from Fenstermaker, Dyer's calling card came to fruition, getting hit by a pitch to score one more. Despite struggling in the series, Fallon Feaser could not have come through at a better time, giving the Falcons a 7-0 advantage with a base hit up the middle. 

After a scoreless inning from both teams, the Eagles had one last chance in the top of the seventh to pull off a miraculous comeback. Eastern's seniors were providing some late life as three singles loaded the bases. Luckily Chinnadurai had already picked up a strikeout and a pop out before the base paths became occupied. Down to the final out, Chinnadurai forced a ground out to non other than Dyer to put a stamp on her phenominal day and give the Falcons their 12th conference championship. 

Stats:
Maggie Chinnadurai pitched both games combining for over 200 pitches, nine strikeouts, and one shutout. Hannah Dyer combined for four hits on the day, with three RBI's. Ali Wagner picked up three hits of her own, along with Brielle Rosario. Kandice Schlabach, Rebekah Wiley, Kylie Thompson, and Fallon Feaser all collected hits on the day. 

What's Up Next:
The Falcons will wait to hear their name called in the NCAA Softball Regionals.