Defensive miscues help defeat Celtics at The Spring Games

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Carlow University softball dropped two contests in the early morning of The Spring Games in Florida Wednesday.

The Celtics (1-5) fell to Penn State Berks (3-5) 7-5 and were defeated 10-4 by Wheaton (Mass.) College (5-2).

vs. Penn State Berks: L, 7-5

Carlow pounded 11 hits against the Lions, but five errors in the game proved to be the downfall of the Celtics. The Lions scored just one earned run the entire game.

Berks started the bottom of the first with a double to center field. A subsequent error put runners on the corners, and a stolen base at second allowed the runner at third to sneak home.

A single up the middle and another error brought in two unearned runs for the Lions before the end of the inning.

Carlow quickly rectified its errors in the top of the second. Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) doubled to left field to start, and Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) brought her home with a single to center field. A walk and a one-out single to right field from Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) loaded the bases, affording Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) an RBI single to center field. Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) singled up the middle in the next at-bat, and an error in the outfield allowed an unearned run across to give the Celtics a 4-3 lead. The Lions escaped without more damage after turning a double play to end the inning.

Berks made its comeback in the bottom of the fourth. A one-out double to left field put a runner on, and two errors in a row saw the Lions leading, 5-4. A triple to right-center field drove in another run, and an infield ground out afforded Berks another run that gave them a 7-4 advantage.

The Celtics attempted to mount a comeback in the sixth. A walk and a one-out single to right-center from Beighley saw runners on first and second. Bicko executed a bunt, and a throwing error by the catcher allowed a run to cross the plate. The Lions slammed the door on the Celtics with the final two outs of the inning.

Although Carlow stranded a Lions runner on third in the bottom half of the frame, they were unable to bring anyone across in the top of the seventh.

Bicko went 3 for 4 with two RBI, and Pollinger hit 3 for 4 with a double. Beighley went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the effort. Bicko was saddled with the loss in the circle after allowing four unearned runs on three hits with three strikeouts.

Kylie Krauss led the Lions, going 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and an RBI. Mallory Duff earned the win, allowing one run on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Paige Brightwell picked up the save after closing out the final 2.1 innings with one hit and one strikeout.

vs. Wheaton (Mass.): L, 10-4

The Lyons tallied 17 hits in the 10-4 rout of the Celtics in the nightcap, tacking on five runs in the top of the seventh to secure the win.

Carlow landed on the board first after a single and two errors loaded the bases and Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) hit a two-run single to bring them home.

Wheaton gained a one-point lead in the top of the fourth with an error, an RBI single to left field and a two-run home run over the left field fence. Carlow tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when Beighley hit a two-out double to right field to keep the inning going. She scored unearned run after an error at second base on Bicko's hit. The Celtics later loaded the bases, but the Lyons produced a fly out that put a stop to the momentum.

Wheaton strung together four singles to score two runs in the top of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead and stranded a Carlow runner on third as the teams headed into the seventh.

A three-run home run and four singles in a row brought in five runs for the Lyons, putting them up, 10-3, with one last chance for the Celtics in the bottom half of the frame.

Beighley led off the inning with a single, and a two-out walk put runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved them over, and Wiggs hit a single to right field to drive in a run. Unfortunately for the Celtics, the Carlow runner at second was caught trying to stretch the play at home by the right fielder to end the game.

Beighley hit 3 for 4 with a double, and Wiggs went 2 for 4 with three RBI, and Bella Cartieri (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area HS) doubled in the effort.

Schumacher suffered the loss, allowing five earned runs on eight hits with one strikeout in 2.1 innings.

Sofia DeLaRosa earned the complete game win for the Lyons, scattering nine hits and allowing four earned runs with two walks and eight strikeouts.

The Celtics conclude spring training with two games tomorrow against Westminster (Pa.) and North Park (Ill.).