Shorthanded Softball succumbs to Saint Vincent

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. --- Carlow University softball lost a doubleheader to Saint Vincent College at West Mifflin Area High School Sunday afternoon.

The Bearcats improved to 15-13 overall while the Celtics fell to 4-22.

Game 1: L, 12-6

The Celtics recovered from an early deficit to gain a marginal lead, but Saint Vincent chipped away to win the first game of the day.

The Bearcats scored two runs off three hits and an error in the first inning.

Saint Vincent tacked on another run before Deborah Garza (San Antonio, Texas/Robert G. Cole HS) made a diving stop at third to record the final out in the top of the second.

Carlow gained its lead in the bottom half of the frame. Taylor Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) hit an infield single, and Garza drew a walk to put runners in scoring position. A ground out by Erica Keeley (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley HS) moved them over, and Cailyn Lucas (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills HS) smacked a double to right field to bring them both around.

Another ground out put her on third, and a single to right-center by Kamyia Morris (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle Catholic HS) tied the game at 3-3. Morris stole second and third, and another walk put runners on the corners for Carrah Scardina (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands HS), who hit a single up the middle to put the Celtics ahead, 4-3.

Shortstop Scardina made a nice play up the middle in the third to end the inning and prevented the Bearcats from gaining any ground. Saint Vincent returned the favor in the bottom of the inning and tied the game in the top of the fourth. Two singles, an error and a wild pitch allowed the run to score.

The Bearcats scored four runs on six hits and an error in the fifth inning to go ahead, 8-4. Carlow escaped the inning when Morris fielded the single up the middle and caught the runner from second trying to stretch the play home with a single throw.

An RBI triple added another run for Saint Vincent in the sixth, and the Bearcats retired the Celtics in order in the bottom half of the frame.

Saint Vincent went ahead 12-4 with five hits in the top of the seventh, and Carlow attempted a comeback in the final inning.

A walk and a single from Garza put runners on, and a two-out single by Lexi Berta (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) loaded the bases. A two run double to left field off the bat of Morris scored both runs for Carlow, but the Bearcats picked up a ground out to end the game.

Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) was saddled with the loss after allowing seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits with one walk and two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Morris went 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI and two stolen bases Lucas hit 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI, and Berta went 2 for 4.

Mya McHugh earned the win after allowing two earned runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Emily Dudenhoeffer led the Bearcats at the plate, going 4 for 4 with two RBI. Macie McHugh hit 2 for 3 with a double, triple and two RBI.

Game 2: L, 9-1 (5 inn.)

The Bearcats ran away with the game in the nightcap. Pitcher Natalie Bizup scattered five hits and allowed Carlow's lone unearned run with one strikeout in the complete game effort.

Saint Vincent went ahead 2-0 in the first, and the Celtics scored their only run in the bottom of the inning after a lead-off double from Scardina. A one-out error two batters later allowed her to cross home plate.

The Bearcats scored three more runs on four hits before Morris made a bases-loaded diving catch to end the inning.

Saint Vincent added two more runs in the fourth and fifth and ended the game with the run-rule after their shortstop turned a double play to end the game.

Gianna Ferrieri (South Park, Pa./Seton LaSalle Catholic HS) suffered the loss after allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits with two walks and a strikeout.

Mackenzie Favero went 3 for 3 and Alyssa Henderson hit 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI to lead the Bearcats.

Carlow hosts Penn State Altoona for a 6 p.m. AMCC doubleheader April 14.