Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (April 25) - The Waynesburg University softball team was swept in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) doubleheader by Bethany on Monday.
The Bison (19-13, 7-1 PAC) won the first game 7-6 in 14 innings, and won the second 6-3 in seven innings. The Jackets (11-11, 4-6 PAC) lost in no small part to the nine errors the defense was charged in 21 innings of play.
Game one began with Bethany jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, scoring on three hits. The Jackets responded, as Jasmine Blackwell slapped an infield single to put the lead runner on. After an illegal pitch and a ground out to short advanced Blackwell to third, starting pitcher Amanda Baughman smashed the Bison offering up the middle for her 27th RBI of the season, and make the score 2-1.
Bethany answered quickly, as they capitalized on two Jacket errors to score three more runs and make it 5-1 through the top of the third inning. Waynesburg went to work in the bottom of the third, as Amanda Baughman and Shannon Falleroni both recorded RBI singles in the inning.
The Jackets eventually tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the fourth, as Samantha Valponi smacked an RBI single to centerfield. Shannon Falleroni added her second RBI of the game on a groundout. Baughman settled down on the mound, allowing just two hits from the end of the third to the top of the seventh.
After the Jackets fought all the way back to take a 6-5 lead in the sixth inning, a crucial error on what would have been the final out of the game allowed the Bison to tie the game at 6-6. Errors would again unravel the Jackets, as two costly errors in the top of the 14th allowed the Bison to take a commanding 7-6 lead.
The bats went cold during the seven innings of extra play, as the Jackets managed just four hits. Baughman took the loss, as she threw all 14 innings, allowing four earned runs on 13 hits and striking out 11 batters. She was also four-for-six at the plate, with two RBIs.
With most players sporting a farmer's tan from the three hour softball game they had just played, both sides commenced game two of the doubleheader. The Bison wasted little time getting out to an early 3-0 advantage. The Jackets answered in the second inning, scoring three of their own to tie the game at 3-3.
The wheels fell off in the fourth inning, as what appeared to be a Bethany base-running error turned into a three-run error on an errant throw into centerfield by Waynesburg's catcher that gave the Bison a 6-3 lead. From that point forward, the Jackets offense went away quietly, managing just three hits.
Jasmine Blackwell went three-for-nine with a run scored and Amanda Baughman went five-for-nine in the two game set, scoring one run and recording two RBIs. Shannon Falleroni went four-for-eleven with a run scored and 3 RBIs.
The Jackets will need to pick themselves up quickly as they are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday April 27, to play host to Grove City for a PAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
