With each passing week, the Lions are throwing harder and swinging faster as they build up the momentum needed to roll into the playoffs. The College currently stands at 13–3 so far this season after going 5-1 this past week in doubleheaders against Muhlenberg College on Tuesday March 23, Messiah College on Thursday March 25, and SUNY Cortland on Saturday March 27.
“The team has been working well together,” said junior outfielder Caitlyn Seamster. “The defense has been communicating well and when it comes to offense, everyone knows what has to be done. Everyone has been crushing the ball.”
This teamwork was clear as the softball team started off in Allentown, Pa. in order to take on Muhlenberg College in a double header that also gave the team two more wins. In game one, senior Ashley Minervini pitched five shutout innings on defense, as the Lions offense crossed the plate effortlessly. Senior Ellen Seavers went 4-for-4 at the plate, picking up four RBIs to help the team defeat the Mules 9-0 in six innings.
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Fitzsimmons collected her fifth win of the season in game two, allowing three hits in five innings over the Mules. Senior Danielle Hagel went 4-for-4 and had three RBIs which helped the Lions win the second game of the day 9-2.
On Thursday March 25, the Lions returned home for a double header against Messiah College. In the first game, the Falcons scored a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, holding off the Lions until the bottom of the sixth. Seavers drove in sophomore Crystal Lee for the team’s only run of the game, leaving the score at 2-1. Minervini only allowed four hits and gathered eight strikeouts, but it was not enough for the Lions to come back for the win.
Nevertheless, game two proved that the Lions were not giving up easily as the softball team beat Messiah College 2-1. Lee singled and later scored off a sacrifice fly by
freshman Ashley Sogluizzo in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 lead. The Lions gained another run in the third when freshman Kelly Hommen brought in Solguizzo, making it a 2-0 game. The Falcons came back, however, in the sixth as Messiah’s sophomore center fielder Jaclyn Merkel brought in a runner with the bases loaded. The Lions held the score at 2-1 for the win over the defending Division III national champions.
The women’s softball team continued with a home field advantage sweeping SUNY-Cortland in a double header on Saturday March 27. The 1-0 win in the first game came from pitcher Minervini as she recorded a three-hit shutout, gaining her sixth win of the season. The Lions scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the third as Lee singled to center field, plating freshman Michelle Casale.
The Lions continued with their winning streak as the team beat the Red Dragons 3-1. Hagel started it off in the top of the second with a homerun to left center. Solguizzo later batted in Seamster, giving them a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Katelyn Congilose doubled to bring in Hagel for the Lions third run in the third. The Red Dragons scored its only run of the game in the sixth off a double by sophomore Kayla Lynch. The Lions defense held the score at 3-1 after the sixth for the win.
“We need to stay focused and play our game. We can’t take any team lightly. As long as we play like we are, we will be very successful,” Seamster said.
The Lions continue the season on Tuesday, March 30, with a game away to take on Gwynedd Mercy College in Pennsylvania.
