CLERMONT, FL (March 15, 2024) - The Susquehanna University softball team split their late Friday afternoon, dropping game one to Haverford College 5-2, but responded with a blowout win over St. Mary's College 9-2. 

Haverford 5, Susquehanna 2 

Much like game one of yesterday's doubleheader the River Hawks fell into an early hole that was too big to climb out of. An RBI double by Haverford's Tessa Pearlstein in the bottom of the second gave the Fords a 2-0 lead, and a sacrifice fly just two batters later increased the lead to three, which got Susquehanna starter Amanda Amerman out of the game.  

Reliever Lauren Bjelobrk replaced Amerman in the third, but the Fords didn't miss a beat as they scored another two runs to make it 5-0 and forced Bjelobrk off the mound after two thirds of an inning pitched.  

Brianna Jones replaced her on the mound and pitched the rest of the game for Susquehanna, stopping the Haverford offense in its tracks as she allowed a one-hit shutout for the remaining three and a third innings, but the damage was done.  

Susquehanna's offense was shut out for five innings before managing one run in each of the last two innings. A Zoe Bork RBI single in the sixth made it 5-1, and an RBI single by Kaylee Smallen in the seventh brought it to the final score of 5-2. 

Even though Susquehanna tallied eight hits to Haverford's six, and that seven River Hawks reached base safely in the contest, the team left eight runners on base and 2-6 with runners in scoring position.  

Susquehanna 9, St. Mary's College (IN) 2 

Game two was the exact opposite of game one as Susquehanna jumped out to a huge lead early on. Susquehanna loaded the bases in the top of the second inning and back-to-back 2 RBI singles by Hailey Kaba and Smallen gave the River Hawks a commanding 4-0. 

In the third, Susquehanna tallied another four runs. After getting two runners in scoring position to start the inning, back-to-back singles from Bork and Kelsey Burrows brought home another two runs, and a sacrifice fly by Hannah Roland brought in a third run. That got opposing starter Caitlin Traxler pulled after two and a third innings allowing eight runs off nine hits. Nicole Wuertz brought home the fourth run with a groundout to bring the score to 8-0. 

The Belles responded in the fourth with two runs of their own, but Susquehanna got one back off a passed ball that allowed Smallen to score. Both teams held each other scoreless the rest of the way as the River Hawks cruised to a 9-2 win.  

Jones picked up right where she left off in game one, pitching a complete game allowing just two earned runs off five hits. Six different River Hawks tallied an RBI on the night, and all but one batter reached home plate.  

Susquehanna moves to 4-6 with one more day of the Spring Games remaining. Their last doubleheader will take place tomorrow on March 16 against Trinity College at 10:15 a.m. and SUNY Brockport at 12:30 p.m.