Softball secures Senior Day sweep of Brescia

KENNEDY TWP., Pa. --- Carlow University swept Brescia (Ky.) University in River States Conference action Friday.

The Celtics defeated the Bearcats (8-22, 5-17 RSC) 10-2 in six innings and blanked Brescia 11-0 in five innings in the nightcap.

Prior to the start of game one, the Celtics celebrated seniors Hannah Gallagher, Amanda Hu, Morgan Nedley, Morgan Pierce and Paige Ziggas.

The team with the Seniors (in sashes). Photo by Robert Cifone.

Game 1: W, 10-2 (6 inn.)

The Bearcats struck first in the third inning to start the day.

Back-to-back errors by the Celtics (13-27, 9-15 RSC) allowed a run across, and a sacrifice fly to right field brought home Brescia's second run before Carlow ended the inning.

The Celtics regained control and gained the lead in the bottom half of the frame, scoring four runs on five hits.

Hu got the inning started with a double to the right field fence, and Gallagher hit a double to center field later in the inning. Singles from Morgan Pierce and Ziggas brought in runs, and a two-run single up the middle by Nedley put Carlow ahead, 4-2.

The Celtics added two more runs in the fifth. Once again the lead-off batter started with an extra-base hit – this time it was Ziggas who legged out a triple to right field.

Megan Pollinger singled to center to bring her home, and Nedley doubled to right field to put Carlow up, 6-2, before the Bearcats could get out of the inning.

The Celtics got out of a jam in the sixth with a runner interference call, while Nedley turned a double play to end the inning.

Carlow scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to end the game in a walk-off due to the mercy rule.

Clara Niglio singled up the middle, and Gallagher hit a one-out single to right field to put runners in scoring position.

Ziggas hit an RBI single to center, and Pollinger nailed a two-run double to left field to put Carlow ahead by seven.

Nedley once again came through and hit a walk-off double to right field to bring home Pollinger and end the game.

Morgan Pierce earned the win in the circle, scattering seven hits and allowing two unearned runs with a walk and three strikeouts.

Nedley went 4 for 4 with four RBI, Ziggas hit 3 for 4 with two RBI, and Gallagher and Pollinger each hit 2 for 4 with a double apiece.

Hayden Pulliam went 2 for 3 for the Bearcats, and Raini Gerometta was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in two innings of work. Hannah Hailey tossed the remainder of the game, allowing seven runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts.

Game 2: W, 11-0 (5 inn.)

The Celtics made quick work of the Bearcats in the nightcap, ending the second game in a mercy rule in just a little over an hour's time.

Hu three-hit the Bearcats in the complete game effort with one walk to earn her first win this season.

Nedley hit an RBI single to score Carlow's first run in the bottom of the first.

The Celtics scored six runs on five hits in the bottom of the second.

Francesca Beighley walked in a run, Ziggas hit a three-run double to right field and Alayna Mintz smacked a two-run single to left field to put Carlow ahead, 7-0.

Carlow added four runs on five hits in the bottom of the third, scoring all of their runs with two outs in the inning.

Morgan Pierce hit an RBI single to left-center, Nedley nailed a two-run double to left-center and Mintz brought in a run with a single through the hole at shortstop.

Carlow had the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, but the Bearcats turned a double play to make it out of the inning.

Hu allowed a two-out single in the fifth before the Celtics shut the door with a fly out to left field.

Nedley hit 3 for 3 with three RBI, Ziggas went 2 for 2 with three RBI, Mintz hit 2 for 3 with three RBI and Jillian Durst went 2 for 2.

Faith Axline took the loss after allowing six runs on four hits with three walks in 1.1 innings.

Jasey Allen and Savannah Jones combined to pitch the remainder of the abbreviated game.

The Celtics host Indiana University Southeast for a 2 p.m. RSC doubleheader Monday, April 24 at Fairhaven Park.