Softball swept by Chatham in battle for West Field

MUNHALL, Pa. --- Carlow University softball lost two nonconference games to neighboring Chatham University at West Field Monday night. West Field is the home field for both teams.

Game 1: L, 4-2

Senior Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) broke up a Cougars (7-17) no-hitter in the bottom of the fourth with a single to right field to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt from Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) and a ground out moved her over to third, and Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) hit a single up the middle to bring her home and cut Chatham's lead to 3-1.

Bicko led off the bottom of the sixth with a one-out triple to center field, and Pollinger drove in Carlow's second run of the game with a double to center field to see the Celtics trailing by one.

A single, a sacrifice bunt and a walk put runners one first and second for the Cougars with two outs in the top of the seventh. A single through the left side added an insurance run, and Carlow caught the runner at second stretching the play at third to end the inning.

McKenna Pierce (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area HS) hit a lead-off double to left field in the final frame, and a ground out moved her over to third. A fly ball to right field looked to score Pierce, but Chatham's right fielder fired a rocket straight to home plate to tag Pierce and end the game.

Bicko suffered the loss in the circle, allowing four earned runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and two walks in the complete game effort. Pollinger went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI.

Victoria Murren earned the win for the Cougars, allowing two earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts. She helped her own cause at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double. Isabelle Griswold hit 2 for 2 with two doubles.

Game 2: L, 8-6

The Celtics pounded 14 hits in the nightcap, but it was not enough to secure a win over the Cougars.

Chatham got out to a quick start with three runs in the top of the first, but the Celtics gained the lead in the bottom half of the frame.

Five singles in a row, a wild pitch and a walk gave Carlow a 4-3 lead heading into the second.

A two-out double and an error tied the game 4-4 for the Cougars in the top of the second. Chatham retired the Celtics in order in the bottom of the inning and a three-run home run by Griswold over the right field fence put the Cougars up 7-4 in the third.

Carlow made quick work of Chatham in the fifth and sixth, and Emilee Speicher (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson HS) recorded her first collegiate hit with a triple to right field in the bottom of the sixth. A base-running miscue and a ground out prevented the Celtics from scoring, and the Cougars tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

The Celtics attempted a walk-off in the final inning of the night. Pierce and Pollinger hit back-to-back singles to start the inning, and a two-out single to center field by Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) loaded the bases for Carlow.

Bella Cartieri (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area HS) stepped to the plate and ripped a double up the middle to bring in two runs for the Celtics before a final fly out ended the game.

Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) suffered the loss after allowing six earned runs on nine hits with a strikeout in two innings of work. Samantha Tressler (Brownsville, Pa./Brownsville Area HS) pitched the remainder of the game, scattering three hits and allowing one earned run with one strikeout. Neither pitcher recorded a walk in the effort.

Pollinger hit 3 for 4 with an RBI, while Beighley, Pierce and Wiggs each hit 2 for 4.

Josie Underdonk earned the win for the Cougars, allowing two earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and a walk in 6.2 innings. Sheaden Berkson earned the save after securing the final out of the game. Griswold hit 3 for 4 with four RBI.

The Celtics host Pitt Greensburg for a 6:30 p.m. doubleheader tomorrow to kick off AMCC action.