Game One
Messiah 2, Lebanon Valley 1
LVC Lineup
1. Kaufman (3B) 2. Hunyara (SS) 3. Craig (1B) 4. Forsythe (C) 5. Truitt (LF) 6. Balthaser (RF) 7. Musselman (CF) 8. Walter (P) 9. Burns (2B)
Messiah Lineup
1. Shannon (C) 2. Burger (2B) 3. Eakes (SS) 4. Seise (1B) 5. Baker (RF) 6. Denmark (DP) 7. Stocksdale (LF), 8. Litwin (3B) 9. Lippin (CF), Walter (P)
ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Lebanon Valley softball team was swept by Messiah University in the Dutchmen's regular season finale in a pair of low-scoring ball games. LVC drops to 14-14, 7-11 MACC while Messiah jumps to 12-9, 8-6 MACC.
In today's opener, both pitchers had everything working as the two teams combined for just nine hits in the 2-1 low-scoring affair. Messiah would pick up their runs in the first two innings to jump ahead 2-0 early. In the first, Isabel Seise would single to right-center to bring homme the first Falcon run. In the second, Elianna Litwin would pick up an RBI on a groundout to shortstop to double the Messiah lead through the first two frames.
Messiah's Madison Walter kept the Dutchmen hitters off balance most of the game and LVC wouldn't get their run until the bottom of the sixth.
Jen Kaufman led off the inning with a walk and would advance one base at a time on a pair of groundouts before scoring on an infield single by
Julia Forsythe to cut the Falcon lead in half.
In the final frame, LVC would get the tying run into scoring position but would be unable to bring home the elusive equalizer as they fell 2-1 in the first game of the afternoon.
Inside The Numbers
- Julia Forsythe went 1-for-3 and picked up the lone RBI for LVC in game one.
- Jordan Walter allowed just five hits and two earned runs in seven innings for LVC while adding four strikeouts.
- Messiah's Madison Walter tossed a complete game as well allowing just four hits and the one earned run while striking out six.
Game Two
Messiah 4, Lebanon Valley 2
LVC Lineup
1. Kaufman (3B) 2. Hunyara (SS) 3. Craig (1B) 4. Forsythe (DP) 5. Truitt (LF) 6. Balthaser (RF) 7. Musselman (P) 8. McCurdy (CF) 9. D'Angelo (2B), Holmes (C/Flex)
Messiah Lineup
1. Shannon (C) 2. Burger (2B) 3. Eakes (SS) 4. Seise (1B) 5. Denmark (RF) 6. Baker (P) 7. Stocksdale (LF) 8. Rosas (DP) 9. Lippin (CF), Litwin (3B/Flex)
Game two was more of the same as both offenses struggled to get any sort of rhythm against the two pitchers. Neither team would be able to crack the scoreboard until the top of the fifth when Messiah would score the first run of the contest. Brynne Baker singled to right field to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. They would strand two runners in the inning as they were unable to add to their lead.
After a scoreless sixth, Messiah would add three insurance runs in the seventh that proved to be crucial when LVC came up to hit in the last of the seventh. The Falcons would score three runs on three consecutive two-out hits to push their lead out to 4-0. The Dutchmen would look to mount a comeback as they were able to score two runs on back-to-back hits by
Lindsey McCurdy and
Lia D'Angelo to cut the deficit in half but would Madison Walter would come in for Messiah to close the door and she retired the next three LVC hitters to save the win for Messiah, 4-2.
Inside The Numbers
- Jen Kaufman led the Dutchmen offense going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
- Lindsey McCurdy and Lia D'Angelo recorded the two RBI for the Dutchmen.
- McKenzie Simon led Messiah's lineup with two hits, both doubles, and an RBI
Playoff Picture
The Dutchmen will return to action in the MAC Commonwealth quarterfinals. LVC, the #7 seed, will travel to take on the #2 seed Stevenson University in a best-of-three series with the first two games being held at Stevenson and a winner-take-all game three back at LVC if necessary. The doubleheader will take place this Saturday, May 1, with game one beginning at 1 p.m. Game three, if necessary, will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday at LVC Softball Park.
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