SELINSGROVE, PA (May 4, 2023) – After numerous reschedules due to weather, Susquehanna softball was finally able to welcome Drew to Selinsgrove for a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon, also celebrating Senior Day between the two contests. The games were more than worth the wait, as the two closely matched squads dueled in two nailbiters, splitting the day as Drew won game 1 in extra innings 2-0 before Susquehanna rebounded to take a 3-2 win in game 2.

Game 1: Drew 2, Susquehanna 0 (10 Inn.)

A true pitchers' duel, game 1 saw Hannah Foust battling it out with Drew's Bailey Comeau, each being their team's leading strikeout getter and living up to those reputations. Foust would pitch 5.0 innings while allowing just three hits and striking out four batters, also managing to work out of two separate bases loaded situations in the 3^rd and 5^th innings.

Meanwhile, Comeau proved nearly untouchable to the SU hitters, fanning 14 batters over 10 innings as she manned the circle for the entire game, throwing 144 pitches while allowing just three hits and two walks. For SU, Amanda Amerman came on in relief in the top of the 6^th and picked up where Foust left off, turning in four hitless innings as the game stretched into extra frames.

Ashley Warner was the only SU hitter to get the better of Comeau for much of the game, accounting for two of Susquehanna's three total hits. Lexi Palumbo would get the other, a double in the bottom of the 9^th that looked to provide a potential chance for a game-winning run. But Comeau shut it down, setting the stage for the Rangers to plate two runs in the top of the 10^th before seeing Comeau strike out the final two SU batters with two runners left on base to end the game.

Game 2: Susquehanna 3, Drew 2

After being stymied in game 1, SU wasted no time in getting the offense going in game 2, with Warner picking up a single in the bottom of the 1^st and the bases being loaded by a walk and hit by pitch, but they ultimately did not plate any runs in the frame. Drew loaded the bases in the top of the 2^nd in response, but game 2 starter for SU Brianna Jones struck out three batters to counteract the three hits and end the inning. She then rose to the occasion at the plate in the bottom of the inning, coming to the plate with runners on first and second and two outs on the board. She hit a solid single to left center field and brought home SU's first run of the day. Jones then set the Rangers down in order in the next two innings.

The River Hawks produced a big inning in the bottom of the 4^th, tallying two runs on four hits while also stealing three bases to strengthen their lead and make the score 3-0. Hannah Roland, Erin Bean, Palumbo, and Warner would all single in the inning, with Palumbo picking up the two RBIs on her hit.

Drew got one back in the top of the 5^th, scoring on Jones for the first time after two singles and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with two outs and an RBI single brought one home. Each team would then get baserunners on in the 6^th but neither could capitalize with any runs scored, meaning the gap remained two headed into the final inning. After making way for relief pitchers Ashley Grudzien and Lily Hochhausler in the 6^th inning, Jones returned in the top of the 7^th, set up for the unique to softball scenario of a potential win and save by the same pitcher. She would induce a ground out to start the inning before an infield single brought the tying run to the plate. A fielder's choice saw that runner thrown out at second for the second out and the game looked nearly clinched. But Drew was not quite finished. Drew's leading hitter, Molly O'Brien, after going an uncharacteristic 0 for 8 to start the day across the two games, came up with an RBI triple to right center field and pulled the game within one, giving Drew a look at potentially extending the game. However, Jones induced one final groundout and sealed the win-save combo.

The River Hawks were led by experience at the plate, with fifth-year Bean and senior Warner each picking up three hits. Roland would be the other River Hawk with a multi-hit game, picking up two knocks while also scoring two of the three runs.

Now 21-14 overall and 6-4 in the Landmark Conference, Susquehanna will hit the road for their final regular season contests, a doubleheader against the University of Scranton on Saturday, May 6. They'll begin at 1 pm, with significant playoff implications on the line, with the two squads part of a three-way tie for second place in the conference.

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--RIVER HAWKS--