Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Softball
Lebanon Valley 9, Messiah 1
Lebanon Valley 6, Messiah 3

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley extended its program-record winning streak to 17 games, battling to a sweep of Messiah by 9-1 and 6-3 scores to stay perfect in Commonwealth Conference play.

The Dutchmen (19-3, 8-0 CC) combined for 20 hits as Sam Derr improved to 13-2 with a pair of wins in the circle. Derr helped herself with three runs batted in during the afternoon, and Steff Secola went 3-for-6 with four RBI, included a two-run homer in game two. LVC wore special jerseys for the afternoon as part of its annual Autism Awareness Day.

LVC wasted no time in getting ahead in the opener, with Allie Hartman doubling in Derr before Mary Readinger drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Dutchmen a 2-0 lead. Becky Notte got a run back for Messiah in the fourth, but LVC manufactured five - all with the bases loaded - in the bottom of the frame to put the game out of reach. Derr started the rally with an RBI single to plate Katie Deardorff, and Secola's single followed by Readinger's second RBI walk of the game set up Alexa Maddy's fielder's choice knock. Deardorff came up again to draw another walk, and LVC exited the inning leading 7-1.

Secola added her second hit of the game in the fifth to drive in Derr, and Tessa Deardorff plated Readinger with a sixth-inning single to finish it at 9-1. Derr struck out four and scattered five hits; Messiah combined three pitchers, with Claressa Mees (7-2) taking the loss with five earned allowed. Sarah Dietrich and Jayme Babczak split relief.

LVC built up a 6-0 lead through five in game two, going ahead in the first on Readinger's single to center to score Secola, who later drove a two-run shot to straightaway center in the fourth to increase the advantage to 3-0.

Derr drilled a triple with Aumiller and Tessa Deardorff on to start a three-run fifth, and she later scored on Hartman's single. Messiah rallied in the sixth, putting three runs across; Stephanie Schell's single scored Brooke Pompeo, and Amanda Fife brought in two after being thrown out at first when Hartman's attempt to nail Schell at third went high and allowed the runs to score. Derr then had to work out of a jam in the seventh, getting Notte to ground out while the Falcons (16-10, 6-4 CC) left runners on second and third to end the game.

Derr allowed one earned in the win; Mallory Rutledge (7-4) struck out five with four earned allowed in the loss.

Lebanon Valley will travel to conference co-leaders Alvernia on Tuesday.