Softball splits two close games at Ohio Christian

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio --- Carlow University split a pair of River States Conference games at Ohio Christian University by narrow margins Saturday.

Game 1: L, 1-0

Pitcher Clara Niglio two-hit the Trailblazers (18-16, 8-10 RSC) in a complete game effort, but Ohio Christian outlasted the Celtics (10-26, 6-14 RSC) in a one-run victory to start the day. Niglio finished the day with two walks and three strikeouts.

Ohio Christian retired the Celtics in order in the first and left seven runners stranded in scoring position throughout the remainder of the game.

Ohio Christian scored its lone run in the bottom of the third.

With runners on second and third, a two-out RBI single to right field brought in the Trailblazers' winning run.

Megan Pollinger hit 2 for 3 in the effort at the plate.

Game 2: W, 2-1

Carlow came up with a one-run victory of its own in the nightcap.

Sisters Morgan and McKenna Pierce recorded both RBIs for the Celtics.

Ohio Christian retired the Celtics in order in the second and scored its lone run in the bottom of the inning. A lead-off double and fly out to right field put a runner on third for the Trailblazers. A walk placed runners on the corners, and the Celtics caught the runner on first stealing second. The throw down, however, allowed the runner at third to score before a fly out ended the inning.

Ohio Christian retired Carlow in order once again in the third, but the Celtics caught a runner at home attempting to stretch out the play to prevent the Trailblazers from scoring again.

Carlow tied it up in the top of the fourth.

Pollinger reached on an error, and Morgan Nedley hit a two-out single to put runners on first and second for Morgan Pierce.

Pierce singled up the middle to bring in Pollinger and tie the game, 1-1.

Jillian Durst started off the fifth with a single, and Francesca Beighley moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt.

McKenna Pierce hit a one-out single to short, and an error by the shortstop allowed Durst to score Carlow's go-ahead run.

The Celtics left four runners stranded through the final three innings to walk away with the win.

Morgan Pierce earned the win in the circle with five hits, two walks and three strikeouts in a complete game effort.

McKenna Pierce hit 2 for 3 in the game.

Kristin Gardner hit 2 for 4 and Bailey Lyons went 2 for 3 for the Trailblazers. Lyons took the loss in the circle, scattering six hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

The Celtics split a pair of RSC games at Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College Friday, losing the first game, 4-3, in nine innings and winning the nightcap, 7-4, in six innings due to inclement weather.

The Celtics look forward to a rematch against the Trailblazers at home April 18 with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Fairhaven Park.