Softball holds Thiel to two runs to pick up two wins on the road

GREENVILLE, Pa. --- Carlow University softball snagged a pair of wins on the road at Thiel College Friday.

The Celtics (6-12) blanked the Tomcats (8-6), 14-0, in the first game and won the nightcap, 5-2.

Game 1: W, 14-0

Pitcher Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) tossed a three-hitter, and the Celtics scored nine runs in the top seventh in the decisive win to start the day. Bicko tallied two strikeouts and two walks in her second shutout of the season.

McKenna Pierce (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area HS) led Carlow at the plate, going 4 for 5 with a double, a grand slam and six RBI. Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) hit a homer, and Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) added a double and three RBI.

The Celtics got on the board early with four runs in the first. A one-out error allowed a runner on, and Egley brought her around with a double to center field. A walk and a hit batter loaded the bases for Carlow, and a passed ball afforded the Celtics a 2-0 lead. Pierce doubled to left field to bring in two more runs, and the Tomcats escaped another bases-loaded situation with a ground out to end the inning.

Both teams left runners stranded on the basepaths through the next inning, and Thiel retired Carlow in order in the top of the third. The Celtics turned a double play with a line drive to first base in the bottom half of the frame, and the scored remained 4-0 Carlow through five.

Bicko drew a two-out walk and stole second, and a single up the middle from Egley put the Celtics ahead, 5-0, heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Carlow retired the Tomcats in order, and Wiggs stepped to the plate in the top of the seventh and sent a solo shot over the fence to get things started for the Celtics.

A single and two errors loaded the bases for Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) who singled to left field and put Carlow ahead, 8-0. A passed ball added another, and back-to-back fielder's choice situations put one more on the board for Carlow.

Two walks in a row loaded the bases and allowed another run across. Pierce cleared the bases with a grand slam that added the final four runs for the Celtics before Thiel escaped the inning.

Bicko and the Carlow defense picked up two fly outs and a strikeout to end the game.

Becca Landis suffered the loss for Thiel, allowing three earned runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in five innings.

Game 2: W, 5-2

The Tomcats kept it closer in the nightcap, but the Celtics still managed to record 11 hits once again for the win.

Wiggs and Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) each hit 2 for 4 with two RBI. Beighley went 3 for 4 with a double, and Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) hit 2 for 4 with the first triple of her collegiate career.

Wiggs picked up her first win of the season in the circle, scattering seven hits and allowing two earned runs with four strikeouts and three walks in the complete game effort.

Schumacher started off the top of the second with a one-out triple to left field and ran home on a passed ball to tally Carlow's first run of the game.

The Tomcats retired the Celtics in order in the top of the fourth and tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Two singles and a walk tied the game at 1-1, but Carlow stranded two runners on the basepaths to get out of the inning.

Carlow regained the lead in the top of the fifth with a leadoff double from Beighley and a two-out single up the middle by Pollinger that brought her home.

The Carlow bats came alive once again in the seventh. A single, a bunt single and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. Pollinger singled to bring in a run, and Wiggs singled to right field to drive in two more and put the Celtics ahead, 5-1. Thiel attempted a comeback in the bottom of the inning with a double and an RBI groundout, but a fly out to right field ended the game.

Kayley Risser hit 3 for 4 with a double and a triple, and Mackenzie Herman was saddled with the loss after allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk in two innings.

The Celtics host neighboring Chatham for a 6:30 p.m. doubleheader under the lights at West Field March 31.