Softball scores walk-off victory to earn split against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods

KENNEDY TWP., Pa. --- Carlow University softball scored a come-from-behind, walk-off victory to split with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in a River States Conference doubleheader Wednesday.

Game 1: W, 7-6

The Celtics (8-20, 4-8 RSC) put together some two-out magic in the bottom of the seventh to win the first game in a walk-off over the Pomeroys (17-13, 7-7 RSC).

Hannah Gallagher hit a two-out single to keep the inning going for the Celtics, and McKenna Pierce followed up with her second home run in as many days to cut SMWC's lead to one run.

The Pomeroys made a pitching change, but it did more harm than good.

Megan Pollinger walked, and Maddie Bowes followed with a double down the left field line to put the go-ahead run in scoring position for the Celtics.

Morgan Nedley singled up the middle in the next at-bat to bring Pollinger home and tie the game, 6-all.

Clara Niglio hit a chopper through the left side to win the game in a walk-off for Carlow.

How it happened:

SMWC got on the board first with an unearned run in the first inning. Carlow tied it up in the bottom half of the frame off a two-out, RBI single up the middle from Nedley.

The Pomeroys scored three runs on two hits and two errors in the second and prevented the Celtics from scoring through the next two innings.

Another Carlow error allowed SMWC to go up, 5-1, in the top of the fourth, but Nedley nailed a solo home run over the center field fence to cut SMWC's lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the inning.

Carlow retired the Pomeroys in order in the top of the fifth, and SMWC returned the favor with a double play in the bottom half of the frame.

Back-to-back doubles in the sixth put SMWC ahead, 6-2, and a sacrifice fly from Niglio cut the Pomeroy's lead in half heading into the seventh.

Nedley hit 3 for 4 with three RBI, Gallagher went 3 for 4, and Bowes and McKenna Pierce each hit 2 for 3 with a double.

Pitcher Morgan Pierce earned the complete game win, allowing six runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out three and walking one.

Summer Rocha was saddled with the loss after allowing the final two runs on three hits in the seventh. Lanna Martinez started the game, allowing five runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk in 6.2 innings of work.

Game 2: L, 5-1

Rocha rallied and tossed a three-hitter to help lead the Pomeroys to victory in the nightcap.

Both teams scored a one run each on ground-out plays in the first inning, tying the game, 1-1.

Carlow stranded two SMWC runners in the second, and McKenna Pierce caught a runner attempting to steal third to get Carlow out of the third inning unscathed.

The Celtics had runners in scoring position in the bottom of the frame but could not bring them home.

Both teams retired each other in order through the fourth, and Nedley made two strong plays at shortstop to prevent SMWC from scoring in the fifth.

The Pomeroys one-out single up the middle to finally break the tie in the sixth and lead, 2-1.

SMWC retired the Celtics in order and added three more runs in the top of the seventh. An RBI double to right field and a two-run home run to left-center gave SMWC a 5-1 advantage. Carlow had a runner on second in the final half inning but could not muster the same two-out magic from the first game.

Niglio suffered the loss after allowing five runs on 11 hits with a strikeout in 6.2 innings of work. Pollinger recorded the final out for the Celtics.

Jaleigh Crawford hit 3 for 4 with two RBI to lead the Pomeroys, while Rylee Pender went 2 for 3.

The Celtics host Oakland City (Ind.) University for a 3 p.m. RSC doubleheader April 6.