Softball drops two to crosstown rival Point Park

KENNEDY TWP., Pa. --- Point Park University softball swept Carlow University in River States Conference action Tuesday at Fairhaven Park.

The losses dropped Carlow to 8-24 overall and 4-12 in conference action, while the Pioneers improved to an even 12-12 and 9-7 in the RSC.

Game 2: L, 5-2

The Celtics kept it closer in the second game, but could not pull off the win.

Both teams held the other scoreless through two before the Pioneers brought a run home in the top of the third on a one-out double down the left field line.

Point Park picked up three fly outs in the bottom half of the frame and looked to add more in the fourth, but pitcher Morgan Pierce came up with a huge strikeout to end the inning with the bases loaded.

The Celtics had runners on second and third in the bottom of the inning but were once again stranded.

Point Park went up, 2-0, on two hits in the fifth, but the Celtics came back to tie it up.

Clara Niglio doubled to right field to start the inning and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Morgan Pierce drew a walk, and Marissa Schuckman stepped in to pinch run for Pierce.

Schuckman stole second, and Hannah Gallagher hit a two-run single to center field to tie the game, 2-all.

The Celtics saw Gallagher on third, but were unable to bring her home before the end of the inning.

A two-out home run over the centerfield fence gave the Pioneers a 4-2 lead in the sixth, and Angalee Beall retired the Celtics in order in the bottom of the inning.

Point Park added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh and turned a double play to end the game.

Gallagher hit 2 for 2 with two RBI, and Megan Pollinger went 2 for 2 with a double.

Morgan Pierce tossed a complete game, allowing five runs one 12 hits with three strikeouts.

Three different Pioneers hit 2 for 3 in the game. Jada Simon earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Beall picked up the save after allowing one hit in the final two innings.

Game 1: L, 19-6 (5 inn.)

The Pioneers pounded out 19 hits to take the first game in five innings.

Beall tossed a one-hitter through four to earn the win.

The Celtics attempted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth, but Point Park stifled their efforts.

Amelia Herzer and Francesca Beighley hit RBI singles to score Carlow's first two runs of the game.

An error allowed a third run to score for the Celtics, and McKenna Pierce hit a three-run home run over the right field fence to bring in Carlow's final runs.

Pollinger doubled to keep the inning going, but Sam Lyle retired Carlow's final three batters to close the game.

McKenna Pierce hit 2 for 2 with a double and a home run, and Niglio was saddled with the loss after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits with five walks and two strikeouts in two innings of work.

Amanda Hu, Pollinger and Sam Tressler combined to pitch the remainder of the game.

Hailey Leitner hit 3 for 4 with a double and six RBI to lead the Pioneers at the plate.

The Celtics travel to Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College for a 2 p.m. RSC doubleheader April 14.