Softball earns split with Bethany after extra-innings win in nightcap

BETHANY, W.Va. --- Carlow University softball split a nonconference doubleheader with Bethany College Thursday night. The games were postponed from March 1.

The Celtics (8-18) fell by one run, 3-2, to start the day, but earned an extra-innings win, 5-4, in the nightcap over the Bison (20-5).

Game 1: L, 3-2

Once again, both of Carlow's runs were scored from a home run – this time off the bat of Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) in the fourth inning.

Trailing 2-0 after three, Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) hit a one-out infield single to reach base, and Wiggs blasted a shot over the center field fence in the next at-bat to tie the game, 2-2.

The Bethany defense left three Carlow runners stranded through the next three innings and won the game in a walk-off. A walk and a single down the right field line put runners on the corners for the Bison. An infield single loaded the bases, and a one-out single to center field scored the winning run.

Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) suffered the loss in the circle, allowing two earned runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and a walk in the complete game effort. Wiggs and Pollinger each hit 2 for 3, and Bicko helped her own cause by going 3 for 4 at the plate.

Katelyn Ziems earned the win for Bethany, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a strikeout and two walks. Morgan Huey hit 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Brooke Markland went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

Game 2: W, 5-4 (8 inn.)

Carlow entered its first extra-innings game of the season in the nightcap against the Bison, scoring a run in the top of the eighth for the narrow margin of victory.

McKenna Pierce (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area HS) is hitting her stride as it's the second doubleheader in a row she's hit a home run. Pierce got the Celtics started early after two walks in the first inning put runners on and she nailed a one-out home run over the left field fence to put Carlow up, 3-0.

Back-to-back doubles in the fourth cut Carlow's lead to 3-1, and the Celtics answered with three singles in a row in the top of the fifth to go ahead, 4-1.

Two singles and an error kept the Bison alive in the bottom half of the frame and allowed Bethany to score three unearned runs to tie the game at 4-all.

After a pitching change to secure the final out, the Celtics stranded three runners through two innings and forced extra innings. The teams went to the international tie-breaker rule, placing Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) on second base in the top of the eighth.

Pierce moved her over with a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly to left-center field off the bat of Wiggs drove in what would be the winning run for the Celtics. Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) retired the Bison in order in the bottom half of the frame to secure the win.

Pierce led Carlow at the plate, going 2 for 3 with four RBI, and Bicko hit 2 for 3. Schumacher earned the win after allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out three in the final 3.1 innings of work. Wiggs started the game, allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks in 4.2 innings.

Victoria Wehrberger was saddled with the loss after allowing five earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks for the Bison. Olivia Kidd went 2 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI, and Markland hit 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.

The Celtics host Hilbert College for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday. Prior to first pitch, Carlow will honor its graduating class for Senior Day.