Softball splits with WVU Tech in conference home opener

MUNHALL, Pa. --- Carlow University softball battled brutal weather to come up with a split against WVU Tech in the Celtics' home- and River States Conference-opener at West Field Saturday.

Game 1: W, 11-3 (5 inn.)

The Celtics (3-13) got the best of the Golden Bears (10-8) to start the day, ending the first game in five innings due to the mercy rule.

Maddie Bowes got scoring started for the Celtics in her first at-bat, nailing a two-out, two run home run over the left field fence to put Carlow up, 2-0, in the first inning.

Both teams struggled to put runners on through the next two innings before the Celtics came up big in the bottom of the fourth.

With two outs and the bases loaded, WVU Tech walked in three runs in a row to hand Carlow a 5-0 advantage.

A missed fly ball in left field allowed three unearned runs to score, and the Celtics hit three singles in a row to tack on two more unearned runs before the end of the inning.

Although Carlow led, 10-0, the Golden Bears would not go quietly.

WVU Tech tallied three unearned runs on three doubles and an error in the top of the fifth.

Morgan Nedley singled to reach base in the bottom half of the frame, and a double to left field by Megan Pollinger ended the game in a walk-off.

Pollinger went the distance on the mound for the Celtics, allowing three unearned runs and scattering six hits with four strikeouts.

She hit 2 for 4 with a double, and Bowes recorded three RBI.

Mackenzie Siersma hit 2 for 3 with both of WVU Tech's RBIs, and Nicole Kester went 2 for 2.

Game 2: L, 8-0 (5 inn.)

WVU Tech returned the favor in the nightcap as pitcher Emma Crisswell three-hit the Celtics to help lead her team to a run-rule victory.

A two-run triple and an RBI single put the Golden Bears ahead, 3-0, in the top of the second.

WVU Tech retired the Celtics in order through the first two innings to keep Carlow off the base paths.

The Golden Bears added four more runs on five hits in the top of the third, with Kester belting her second triple of the game to put WVU Tech ahead, 7-0.

Carlow saw runners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning but could not bring them home.

WVU Tech had runners on in the fourth, but Clara Niglio came up with two huge strikeouts to keep Carlow in the game.

The Celtics once again had runners in scoring position, and once again the Golden Bears came up with an out to end the inning unscathed.

An error in the top of the fifth allowed WVU Tech's go-ahead run to score, and the Golden Bears turned a double play to dash Carlow's hopes of a comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Amelia Herzer hit 2 for 2 with a double.

Morgan Pierce was saddled with the loss after allowing seven runs on nine hits and striking out one in 2.2 innings of work.

Niglio tossed the final 2.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit and striking out five.

Three different Golden Bears hit 2 for 3 in the game.

The Celtics return to action with a 3 p.m. nonconference doubleheader at Penn State Beaver March 22.