GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Dickinson softball team fell behind in the first inning of both contests on Saturday at the Starry Softball Field as the Red and White dropped their non-conference doubleheader finale to the host Messiah University Falcons by scores of 8-0 and 7-6. 

Game One - Messiah 8, DEVILS 0 (F/6)

Pitching Decision

W - Maggie Chinnadurai (2-0) | L - Riley Kuehn (5-8)

Inside the Game

After the Devils went down in order to begin things in the first the Falcons bats went hot in the home-half as Kuehn walked two and hit one leading to her being replaced by Lindsay Kucker. The first hitter to face her was Olivia Denmark and she ripped a two-run single. Then, three batters later the Falcons pitcher Chinnadurai showed off some power with a three-run shot to left for the 5-0 lead after one.

In the third frame, the home side added another one as Denmark doubled to center, before being driven in by Chinnadurai for her fourth RBI of the contest. Messiah plated their seventh run during the fourth when Elianna Litwin picked up a two-bagger to right-center followed three batters later by Denmark who produced an RBI single.

Dickinson recorded their first of the game in the fifth when Brooke Espenshade singled to center with two away. Unfortunately, Hannah Brenner grounded out to retire the side. Laia Gwathmey racked up the second knock for the Red and White during the sixth, but consecutive groundouts for Devon Kueny and Celia Vinacco allowed no damage. 

Messiah wrapped up the game in the last of the sixth as an error, single, and walk filled the bags for Chinnadurai. She did what she did all game as her fielder's choice allowed Denmark to race home for the 8-0 final.

Game Two - Messiah 7, DEVILS 6

Pitching Decision

W - Elianna Litwin (1-0) | L - Beth Belanger (0-1)

Inside the Game

Dickinson wasted little time in recording a hit as Kueny reached on an infield single to begin the game, but Litwin set down the ensuing three hitters. It was the same story for the Falcons in the bottom-half of the frame as Belanger walked two and hit a batter resulting in a two-run two-bagger for Paige Eakes. Tessa Spinosa made it 4-0 with another two-run double.

Messiah tacked on three more against Emma Varella during the second as two hit batters and an infield single loaded the bases for Denmark. With her, in the box, a wild pitch from Varella let one in before Denmark came up with a two-run knock extending the cushion to 7-0 through two.

Dickinson found their sticks in the fourth as Hannah Seburn began things with a free pass, followed by singles for Zoe Kleeblatt and Brenner. After Emma Glosson struck out for the second out Jen Klepfer plated a pair with a hit to left-center trimming the gap to 7-2. Kucker provided a shutdown inning in the circle to keep the Devils within reach. 

The Devils added two more a frame later with a Kueny single and Vinacco double putting runners at second and third for Seburn. She provided an RBI groundout, followed by Kleeblatt driving in Vinacco two batters later making it 7-4. DC cut the gap to one an inning later against Ali Wagner as Brenner and Glosson reached before Kueny scored one with a two-out infield single. Vinacco then stepped up and drove home another runner to pull within 7-6 heading to the seventh. Unfortunately, for Dickinson, they went down in order in their final at-bat to close the game.

On Deck

The Red and White (9-18, 2-6 Centennial) get back to Centennial Conference play on Tuesday when they make the short drive down to Gettysburg for a doubleheader with the Bullets beginning at 3:30 p.m.