Softball settles for another split with Ohio Christian in RSC action

KENNEDY TWP., Pa. --- Carlow University softball split a pair of River States Conference games against Ohio Christian University Wednesday at Fairhaven Park.

The Celtics are now 11-27 and 7-15 in the RSC, while the Trailblazers are an even 19-19 and 9-13 in conference action.

Game 2: W, 5-3

Carlow scored all of its runs in the first three innings and held on to win the nightcap, 5-3.

A walk and a one-out single put runners on the corners for Megan Pollinger who hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in Carlow's first run in the bottom of the first.

Clara Niglio started the second with a stand-up double to right-center field, and Mackenzie hit an RBI single up the middle to bring her home.

Hannah Gallagher hit a one-out double to left field to bring Egley home and put the Celtics up, 3-0.

The Celtics once again started off the inning in the third with a double – this time off the bat of Megan Pollinger.

Next up to the plate was Morgan Nedley, who nailed her fifth home run of the season over the center field fence to give Carlow a 5-0 lead.

After the Trailblazers made a pitching change, they made it out of the rest of the inning unscathed and put together some hits in the fourth.

With the bases loaded, a two-run single to center field cut Carlow's lead to 5-2.

Pitcher Morgan Pierce came up with a huge strikeout to end the inning before more damage could be done.

OCU retired the Celtics in order in the bottom of the fourth and added another run in the top of the fifth to cut Carlow's lead to two.

The Trailblazers left two runners stranded in the bottom of the inning, but reliever Pollinger recorded three ground outs in the top of the sixth – including a nice diving snag by Francesca Beighley – to dampen the Trailblazers' momentum.

OCU retired the Celtics in order once again, but Carlow came out on top after Pollinger forced three fly outs to end the game with a runner stranded on the base paths.

Pierce earned the win, allowing three runs and scattering five hits with four walks and four strikeouts in four innings of work.

Pollinger picked up her first save of the season, holding OCU to two hits with one walk and one strikeout in the final three innings.

Niglio and Egley both hit 2 for 3 at the plate.

Kristin Gardner went 3 for 4 with two RBI for OCU, and Karlee Steele hit 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Hilarie Spitler took the loss in the circle after allowing five runs on six hits with two walks in two innings of work.

Emma Hastings tossed the remainder of the game, allowing just two hits with one walk.

Game 1: L, 7-1

The Trailblazers jumped out to a 4-0 lead en route to a 7-1 victory to start the day.

An error, a two-run single and an RBI double brought in four runs in the first inning for OCU.

The Trailblazers added another run in the second with a two-out RBI single to right field and retired the Celtics in order in the bottom half of the frame.

Carlow scored its lone run in the bottom of the fourth.

Nedley hit a one-out infield single and Amelia Herzer singled through the left side to put runners on first and second.

Paige Ziggas hit a two-out RBI single to right field to bring Nedley home, but any further effort was thwarted with the third out in the next at-bat.

OCU scored on a wild pitch in the sixth and added a final run in the top of the seventh with an RBI single through the right side.

Niglio suffered the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits with four walks and three strikeouts in the complete game effort.

OCU pitcher Kristin Gardner scattered five hits and struck out five for the win and also went 3 for 3 at the plate.

Kylee Bako hit 2 for 3 with two RBI and Marissa Bardonaro had a double.

The Celtics return to action April 21, hosting Brescia (Ky.) University for a 2 p.m. RSC doubleheader.

Carlow will recognize its senior athletes that day prior to first pitch at 1:25 p.m.