Softball snags two wins from Mount Aloysius in nonconference contests

CRESSON, Pa. --- Carlow University softball picked up a pair of wins against Mount Aloysius College on the road Tuesday.

Game 1: W, 5-4

The Celtics (15-29) got off to a hot start and put three runs on the board in the first. Hannah Gallagher led off with a double to right-center field, and Francesca Beighley brought her home with a single through the hole at short.

Megan Pollinger nailed a triple in the next at-bat to bring in Beighley, and Morgan Nedley hit an infield single to score Pollinger before the Mounties (14-10) could get out of the inning.

Back-to-back singles in the third put the Celtics up, 4-0, and McKenna Pierce led off with a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the fifth to give Carlow a 5-0 advantage.

Mount Aloysius retired the Celtics in order in the sixth and put a few runs on the board in the bottom half of the frame.

A pair of two-out singles and an error loaded the bases for the Mounties, and a single through the right side brought in two unearned runs.

Mount Aloysius left a Carlow runner stranded in the seventh and looked to make a comeback during their final at-bat.

A hit batter and a single up the middle put runners on second and third with two outs. A walk loaded the bases, and Amanda Hu entered the circle for the Celtics to help get out of the jam.

A two-run single to left cut Carlow's lead to 5-4, but Hu came up with a line drive to end the game and earn the save.

Beighley went 3 for 4 with two RBI, while Pollinger and Gallagher each hit 2 for 4. Pollinger earned the win, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out five.

Mount Aloysius' Maggie Cypher hit 3 for 4 with two RBI, and Marina Shawley was saddled with the loss after allowing four runs on five hits with a walk in two innings of work.

Game 2: W, 8-4

It was a back-and-forth game in the nightcap, but the Celtics pulled off a win in the final two innings.

Beighley singled and Pollinger hit her second triple of the day to bring her home in the first.

McKenna Pierce hit a ground out that allowed another run across, but the Mounties picked up a fly out to end the inning.

Mount Aloysius hit a sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the inning to cut Carlow's lead in half.

Beighley nailed a two-out, two-run double to left field in the second inning to put the Celtics up, 4-1, and Carlow retired the Mounties in order in the bottom half of the frame.

Mount Aloysius left two Carlow runners stranded in the third and cut the Celtics' lead to 4-3 after scoring two runs on four hits.

The Mounties tied the game in the fourth after a runner scored on a wild pitch and once again left two Carlow runners stranded on the base paths in the fifth.

Mount Aloysius had runners on the corners in the bottom of the inning, but Morgan Pierce stepped into the circle and forced a ground out to get out of the jam.

The Celtics came up with big hits in the sixth to take the lead.

An RBI triple by Nedley and back-to-back doubles from the Pierce sisters put Carlow ahead, 7-4.

The Celtics took care of business in the bottom of the inning and tacked on an unearned insurance run in the top of the seventh before retiring the Mounties in order to end the game.

Beighley went 4 for 4 with two RBI, McKenna Pierce hit 2 for 4 with an RBI and Alayna Mintz hit 2 for 2 with two doubles.

Morgan Pierce earned the win, tossing the final 2.1 innings and allowing just one hit with one strikeout.

Hu and Tatum Wiggs combined to pitch the first 4.2 innings for the Celtics, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout apiece.

Sarah Henninger went 2 for 4 and Whitney Cole hit 2 for 2 with two RBI for the Mounties.

Sierra Walters suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout in four innings.

Carlow returns to River States Conference action with a doubleheader at WVU Tech April 28.