Softball concludes spring training with two tough losses

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Carlow University softball dropped two contests to conclude its spring training trip to Florida Thursday afternoon.

The Celtics (1-7) fell to Westminster College 5-1 and were defeated in a six-inning, 8-0 run rule game against North Park (Ill.) University.

vs. Westminster: L, 5-1

The Titans (5-3) got on the board first in the top of the second. With two outs, a hit batter, a walk and a single through the left side loaded the bases. A wild pitch allowed a run across before Carlow collected a fly out to end the inning. The fifth inning played out in similar fashion for Westminster, with a two-out hit batter and a single through the left side putting runners on first and second. A double down the left field line drove in a run before McKenna Pierce (Leechburg, Pa./ Leechburg Area HS) snagged a line drive to end the inning.

Two doubles and a single tacked on two more runs for the Titans in the top of the sixth, leading Carlow, 4-0.

An error afforded Carlow its lone run in the bottom half of the frame. Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) reached first on an error by the third baseman, and Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) singled to right field to place runners in scoring position. Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) singled through the left side to bring in the unearned run for the Celtics before the Titans escaped the inning with a hit batter and two strikeouts, leaving three runners stranded on the basepaths.

Westminster added an insurance run in the top of the seventh and shut the door on the Celtics in the bottom of the inning.

Pollinger hit 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) went 2 for 3. Bicko was saddled with the loss after allowing four earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

Natalie Davis earned the complete game win for the Titans, allowing one unearned run and scattering seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

vs. North Park: L, 8-0 (6 inn.)

The Vikings (5-3) stranded seven Carlow runners on the bases and pounded 12 hits in an 8-0 run rule game.

The Celtics saw a runner on third base in the third, fourth and sixth innings, but were unable to bring them home. North Park pitcher Eden Baker went the distance, tossing a three-hitter with six strikeouts and four walks for the win.

The Vikings scored two runs on four hits in the first and added two more in the bottom of the fourth. Five singles and a ground out brought four runs across to end the game in the bottom of the sixth.

Wiggs suffered the loss in the circle with a strikeout and a walk in 5.2 innings of work.

Baker helped her own cause at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI. Kathryn Keehn went 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Maddy Tan hit 2 for 3 and Katie Patton contributed two RBI.

Carlow hosts Waynesburg University for its home-opener at West Field Monday. The first game of the doubleheader is slated to begin at 5 p.m.