SELINSGROVE, PA (April 5, 2024) – The Susquehanna softball team took to Sassafras Field on a chilly afternoon on Friday for a doubleheader with Messiah University. The visiting Falcons brought their bats to Selinsgrove, stacking up a combined 34 hits in the two games to come out on top over SU in both games, taking game one 17-8 and winning game two 5-1.
Game 1: Messiah 17, Susquehanna 8
Despite putting up their highest run total in more than three weeks, the River Hawks were unable to keep up with the torrid pace of Messiah, who tallied 24 hits and jumped out to a 7-1 lead after the first three innings. SU had a surge of their own with a four-run frame in the bottom of the 4th, but Messiah quickly responded with five runs in the top of the 5th, staying just out of reach of a comeback by SU.
Zoe Bork had a strong performance, going 3 for 4 at the plate with four runs scored and an RBI, coming up just a home run shy of the cycle as she ripped a double and a triple. Hannah Roland had a triple of her own, helping contribute to her team-leading three RBIs.
Game 2: Messiah 5, Susquehanna 1
In stark contrast to the first game, the second matchup was a pitcher's duel, particularly in the early innings, as the teams had just three combined hits through the first two innings. Brianna Jones kept things close for the River Hawks with another strong day in the circle, pitching another complete game. The River Hawks had a great opportunity to strike first in the bottom of the 2nd with the bases loaded and no outs, but three-straight outs kept the game scoreless.
Messiah would then take the opportunity to put the first runs on the board in the top of the 3rd, scoring a pair of runs with three hits, but then scoring stopped again until the bottom of the 5th, when Susquehanna tallied their sole run on an RBI single by Lexi Palumbo. The Falcons responded with a clutch pinch-hit in the top of the 6th with a two-out triple to make the score 3-1 in Messiah's favor. With their pitching still keeping Susquehanna off the board, they were able to add to their lead with a pair of runs in the top of the 7th, putting further pressure on SU in the final frame. The River Hawks got one baserunner on a walk but were unable to mount any further scoring.
After the non-conference break, Susquehanna will get back to Landmark Conference play on Saturday, taking on reigning Landmark champions Moravian, who are receiving votes in the national rankings. The teams will play a doubleheader, beginning at 1 pm.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
