JESSUP, Pa. – The Susquehanna University softball took on the Royals of Scranton University in a Landmark Conference doubleheader and came away with two wins, winning 2-1 in the opener and defeating the Royals 5-0 in the nightcap.

Game one remained scoreless for both teams until the top of the fifth. Kelly Miller (Kendall Park, N.J. / South Brunswick) started the inning off with a double followed by a single by Brianna Murphy (Hazlet, N.J. / Mater Dei Prep) that advanced pinch runner Danielle Vollano (Bethpage, N.Y. / Long Island Lutheran), to third. Leigh Ann Greenwald (Piscataway, N.J. / Immaculata) then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Vollano.

Scranton tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI double from Gabrielle Santarelli.

The score remained 1-1 into the top of the eighth. Alyssa Cantalini (Kitchener, Ontario / St. David Catholic Secondary) doubled, Lauren Creamer (Langhorne, Pa. / Neshaminy) reached on a fielder's choice advancing Cantalini to third and Bridget Rafter (Highlands, N.J. / Henry Hudson Regional) reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Heather Pearson (Alexandria, Va. / Bishop Ireton) grounded out but picked up a RBI by scoring Cantalini to make it 2-1 in the Crusaders' favor. Scranton was not able to answer and Susquehanna won 2-1.

Murphy led the Crusaders in hits with two while Greenwald and Pearson had one RBI apiece. With five strikeouts, two walks, and one earned run, Morgan Lewis (Newton, Pa. / Council Rock North) improved to 11-3 on the year.

It remained scoreless in game two until the top of the fourth when Cantalini led off with a single. The senior advanced to second on a sacrifice by Creamer and then to third on a single from Rafter. Pearson singled and scored Cantalini for the 1-0 score.

 In the top of the fifth, Murphy laid down a bunt for a single and Greenwald reached on a fielder's choice. Amanda Neveroski (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) grounded out to third on a sacrifice to put Greenwald on second. She then took third on a passed ball and Cantalini drove her home for a 2-0 lead.

The Crusaders scored three runs on four hits in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Pearson started off the inning with a single. The next batter, Anna Heggenstaller (Liverpool, Pa. / Greenwood), singled to score Pearson who had stolen second. Murphy, who reached on a fielder's choice, came around to score on Greenwald's single to left field. Neveroski got to first on a fielder's choice, stole second while Greenwald stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher to put the Crusaders up 5-0 where the score would remain for the rest of the game.

Jamie Fesinstine (Long Valley, N.J. / West Morris Central) picked up the win and to bring her record to 9-2. Murphy, Cantalini, Rafter, and Pearson went 2-for-4 to lead the team in hits. Greenwald, Cantalini, Pearson, and Heggenstaller contributed one RBI apiece.

The Crusaders play again tomorrow, April 19, at DeSales University.