Going Gets Tougher In Second Florida Day, Falcons Drop Pair
Sophomore Megan Rice did her best both offensively and in the pitching circle, but it wasn't enough Tuesay.

Clermont, FL — Just a day after cranking out 26 total hits and 16 runs in its opening spring break split at the National Training Center Softball Complex in Clermont, Florida, the Messiah College softball team could only muster two scores in their ensuing double header, dropping games to 22nd-ranked Montclair State University (4-1) and Fairleigh-Dickinson University-Florham by 5-0 and 7-2 scores.

A lead-off double from Montclair State University was followed by a Messiah College error in Tuesday’s opening inning, placing Red Hawks on first and third base. Sophomore pitcher Megan Rice (2-3) came up big striking out the next two batters and forcing the third into a ground out, however, escaping the inning with no runs allowed.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, the squad would start its own offensive half of the inning with a harmless fly-out to the short stop, followed by two strikeouts swinging. It was an ominous sign of things to come, as eight more Falcons would strike out in the contest.

Montclair State was able to break the scoreless game open in the fourth inning when the team was able to push three runs across the plate, all with two outs on the board. The inning started with a ground out to Rice, who would then walk the next Red Hawks batter. The following runner was able to reach on an error, leaving runners on first and second.

Things looked salvageable as the Falcons were able to force the fourth batter into a fielders choice, leaving runners on first and second with two outs. Montclair State’s Maureen Shockley belted an RBI single to get things rolling for the designated visiting team, however, as Messiah would give up two more runs before ending the inning via fly-out.

The Falcons’ best chance at a score came in the sixth inning when senior Lana Trotter reached base on a walk. She advanced to third on a single from freshman Rebekkah Funk, but an ensuing strikeout would strike out would end the inning with two runners stranded.

The Red Hawk’s would add one run in both the sixth and seventh innings to provide the final 5-0 spread.

“We came out flat in today’s first game,” said Amy Weaver, Messiah head coach. “Montclair State kept chipping away and they were able to come away with five runs.”

Funk’s single in the sixth inning would be the only hit of the game for the Falcons. Two of Messiah’s three runners left on base occurred in the sixth inning. Three Messiah errors on the game would lead to four of the Red Hawks’ five runs coming unearned.

Against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in the day’s second contest, the Falcons were able to get the bats going — the team garnered eight hits to only four strikeouts — but could still only manage to push two scores across the plate for the game.

Junior pitcher Jenna Batchelor (1-1) took the loss in the circle, striking out four Devil batters and walking only one. She gave up seven hits in five innings of work. Freshman Corrin Eby came in to relieve Batchelor in the sixth inning and gave up just two hits. Unfortunately for Eby, the Falcons’ defense struggled during her stay, as the team gave up three of its five errors in her only inning of work.

Fairleigh Dickinson would get on the board quickly, scoring one run in the first inning, unearned. The Falcons would commit two first-inning errors, forcing the team again into a game of catch-up.

Messiah’s two errors in the third inning proved to be more costly than those in the first, as Weaver’s bunch surrendered three runs — only one of which was earned — all with two outs.

The top of the sixth inning would provide Messiah’s only scoring on the day, as two extra base hits (both doubles from Trotter and Rice) would get the Falcons on the board. Bowie and sophomore Abby Bergakker singled in the inning, and for the first time on the day Messiah was able to get two runs on the board.

Trotter and Bowie led the Falcon bats in the second contest going 2-3 on the game. Trotter and Rice each collected a double. Funk had two sacrifice hits on the day.

“In the second game the team didn’t show up until the fifth inning,” Weaver said. “We seemed asleep making errors and mental mistakes. We got a rally going to score two runs, but it was just too little too late. It was a tough outing for Batchelor as she pitched very well but still had to take the loss.”

Messiah will next take a couple of days off to enjoy the central Florida sun before returning to the field Friday, when the squad will face Carleton College in a double dip. Game time for the first of two is set for 9:30 a.m. For a comprehensive schedule to all games occurring at the NTC Fields this week, click here.