LEESBURG, FL (March 14, 2024) - The Susquehanna University softball team once again suited up for another doubleheader Thursday afternoon, falling to Wilmington College 9-1 but bouncing back with a come-from-behind win against Wesleyan University 8-5.  

Wilmington (Ohio) 9, Susquehanna 1 

The River Hawks got punched in the mouth right from the jump, falling behind 3-0 after one inning as Wilmington went after Susquehanna starter Hannah Foust. Judaea Wilson hit an RBI double to get her squad on the board, and Samantha Schwab smashed a two-run homer into left center field to make it 3-0 Quakers. Foust finished out the inning, but it was her only frame of the afternoon.  

Amanda Amerman came in and pitched the rest of the contest, but that didn't slow down the Wilmington offense as they added another run in the second and two more in the third to increase their lead to 6-0 before the River Hawks could blink.  

In the batter's box, Susquehanna was kept quiet for large stretches. The River Hawks were shut out through the first four innings with the only decent scoring chance coming in the first inning with runners on first and second. Susquehanna's lone run came in the fifth when Kaylee Smallen reached home while Stevie Shaak was caught in a rundown.  

Wilmington would put the game away in the very next inning as Schwab hit her second homer of the game, bringing in three runs to make it 9-1. Susquehanna was kept scoreless in the bottom half of the inning and the game was called after six innings played.  

Foust took the loss with just one inning pitched allowing three earned runs off four hits, while Amerman pitched the remaining five allowing six earned runs off nine hits. Wilmington starter Aiyana Hancock pitched all six innings for the Quackers allowing just one run off six hits with five strikeouts. Lexi Palumbo and Katelyn Dugery both had multi-hit games for Susquehanna, each going 2-3 with two singles.  

Susquehanna 8, Wesleyan 5 

Similarly to game one, the River Hawks fell behind after one inning in game two. The Cardinals hit back-to-back doubles off Susquehanna starter Brianna Jones to lead 1-0, then a two-run homer by the next batter, Molly Lennon, brought the lead to 3-0 Wesleyan. 

However, this time the River Hawks fought back. In the third inning, a Jones walk, Hailey Kaba hit by pitch, and fielding error by the Cardinals loaded the bases with one out. Dugery slapped a single into center field to bring home two runs and cut the deficit to 3-2. 

In the fifth the River Hawks took control. A leadoff double by Kaba set the tone for a big inning, and Palumbo brought her home with an RBI single to tie the game. Zoe Bork sacrifice bunted to get two runners in scoring position, then back-to-back singles by Shaak and Nicole Wuertz brought home another two runs to give Susquehanna the lead 5-3. 

The Cardinals responded with one run in the bottom half of the inning to cut the deficit to one, but the River Hawks spotted another three runs in the sixth. Crucial drawn walks by Jones and Kaba along with clutch RBI singles by Palumbo and Bork made it 8-4 Susquehanna. A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning scored another run for Wesleyan, but it was too little too late and Susquehanna hung on for the 8-5 win.  

Despite early struggles, Jones pitched a complete game for Susquehanna allowing four earned runs off nine hits. On offense it was a complete team effort as eight River Hawks reached base safely in the contest. 

Another doubleheader split brings Susquehanna to a 3-5 record with two days remaining on this Florida road trip. Tomorrow, March 15, they'll take on Haverford College at 4:15 p.m. and Saint Mary's College (IN) at 6:30 p.m. in another doubleheader