Box Score game 1
Box Score game 2
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (May 4) – For the first time since 2008, the Waynesburg University softball team will play in the Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament. The Jackets clinched a playoff berth with a win over Grove City College on Wednesday.
Needing just one win over Grove City to secure a playoff berth, the Jackets wasted little time, winning game one 5-2. The Wolverines rebounded to take game two 5-0.
After both sides were scoreless through the first two innings of game one, the Jackets (16-14, 8-8) got things started with a double from Jasmine Blackwell in the bottom of the third. Shannon Falleroni singled to right field, scoring Blackwell, and giving Waynesburg a 1-0 lead. Falleroni later scored all the way from first, as the rain caused Grove City's starting pitcher Lauren Clarke to uncork three wild pitches.
The Wolverines responded in the fifth, as Christine Slater lead off the inning with a single. The rain continued to cause problems, this time for Waynesburg's catcher Lizz Bombara, as a passed ball allowed Grove City to score its first run of the game.
The Jackets, sensing a slight shift in momentum, quickly seized it back with a three-run fifth inning. Once again Blackwell led off the inning with a single. Falleroni reached on a fielder's choice that put two on for catcher Lizz Bombara who crushed a triple to right field that cleared the bases and put the Jackets up 4-1. Bombara later scored on a wild pitch.
Grove City's attempt at a two-out, seventh inning rally fell short; as they managed to score just one run before Baughman got pinch-hitter Emily Reece to groundout to end the game.
Blackwell led the way offensively, as she went two-for-three at the plate and scored twice. Falleroni went one-for-three, two runs scored and a RBI. Amanda Baughman picked up the win, throwing all seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out four.
Having already clinched a playoff berth, Coach Giachetti decided to rest his starters for game two. That fact would reflect in the box score, as the Jackets managed just one hit in the 5-0 loss- a single to left field by catcher Tonya Tanner.
The Yellow Jackets will travel to Bethany College to take on the top seeded Bison on Friday, May 6 at 11am. A complete schedule for the PAC playoffs is available here.
