Two big innings lift Softball to split against Alice Lloyd College

KENNEDY TWP., Pa. --- Carlow University softball split a pair of River States Conference games against Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College Monday.

Game 2: W, 14-3 (5 inn.)

The Celtics (7-19, 3-7 RSC) put together two big innings in the nightcap – including a grand slam by McKenna Pierce in the second and a two run-home run from Morgan Nedley in the third – to defeat the Eagles (8-18, 3-11 RSC) in five innings.

Alice Lloyd score a run in the first inning and retired the Celtics in order to start the game.

Carlow returned the favor in the top of the second, and broke open scoring in the bottom half of the frame.

Alice Lloyd started the inning with an error, and back-to-back singles from the Celtics loaded the bases.

The Eagles got the out at home in the next at-bat before Francesca Beighley hit an RBI single up the middle to tie the game.

Another error allowed Carlow's second run to score and proved to be disastrous for the Eagles.

With the bases loaded, McKenna Pierce stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam over the right field fence to put the Celtics up, 6-1.

Carlow committed its only error of the game in the third, but made it out of the inning after turning a double play. A line drive to pitcher Clara Niglio allowed her to catch the runner off the bag at first.

Carlow added five more runs in the bottom of the third.

Maddie Bowes singled to reach base, and Bella Cartieri came in to pinch run at first.

Nedley hit a one-out, two-run home run over the left field fence to give Carlow an 8-1 advantage, and back-to-back singles put runners in scoring position.

Beighley nailed a two-run double down the left field line, and Hannah Gallagher hit a double to right-center field to put Carlow up, 10-1.

McKenna Pierce hit a ground out to bring in another run before the Eagles could make it out of the inning.

Carlow continued to pile on runs in the fourth, adding three more on three hits to lead, 14-1.

Alice Lloyd attempted a comeback in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs on a two-out single to right field, but Niglio ended the inning with a strikeout.

Niglio earned the win, scattering five hits and allowing three runs with two strikeouts and three walks. She hit 2 for 3 with a double to help her cause at the plate.

Nedley went 3 for 3 with three RBI, and Beighley hit 2 for 2 with a double and three RBI. Ziggas hit 2 for 2, and McKenna Pierce drove in five runs.

Baylee Cox took the loss for Alice Lloyd after eight runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.1 innings.

Game 1: L, 6-5

The Eagles staved off a Carlow comeback in the first game of the day to pick up a win.

Alice Lloyd scored one run in the first three innings before the Celtics got on the board.

Megan Pollinger cut Alice Lloyd's lead to one run with a two-run home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the third.

Carlow had the bases loaded later in the inning, but the Eagles were able to get out of the jam with the final out.

A three-run home run over the center field fence from pinch hitter Aspyn Branham gave the Eagles a 6-2 lead in the fifth.

Once again the Celtics runners in scoring position in the bottom half of the frame, but Alice Lloyd prevented Carlow from bringing anyone home.

Both teams had a runner on third in the sixth, but neither was able to score as they headed into the final inning.

An error in the top of the seventh loaded the bases for the Eagles, but a bunt allowed catcher Cartieri to tag home for the second out. Carlow ending the fly ball and one more chance to rally a comeback in the bottom of the inning.

Bowes doubled to left field to start the inning, and Cartieri came in to pinch run for her.

She made it to third on a wild pitch, and a single to centerfield from Amelia Herzer allowed Cartieri to score easily.

McKenna Pierce hit a two-out single to put runners on the corners for Carlow, and a walk loaded the bases for Gallagher.

Gallagher doubled to left field to bring in two runs and put Carlow within one run of tying the game, but the Eagles managed a ground out to end the game.

Gallagher hit 2 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI.

Herzer went 3 for 4 with an RBI, while Pollinger and Bowes each hit 2 for 4. Bowes recorded a double and Pollinger tallied two RBI with her home run. She suffered the loss on the mound after allowing six runs on 12 hits in five innings of work. Pollinger struck out three and walked one.

Tatum Wiggs and Amanda Hu tossed the final two innings for Carlow.

Ellie Keene and Rachael Rife hit 2 for 3 for the Eagles, and three different players went 2 for 4 on the day.

Maleigh McDaniel earned the win, allowing two runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and a walk in 6.1 innings of work. Kursten Napier pitched for two outs in the seventh before McDaniel returned to the mound for the final out of the game.

The Celtics host Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) College Wednesday, April 5 for a 4 p.m. doubleheader at Fairhaven Park.