CLERMONT, Fla. (March 1) – The Waynesburg University softball team split a pair of games on Wednesday at the Spring Games. The Yellow Jackets pulled out a 6-4 win over Concordia (Minnesota), before dropping an 8-4 game to Finlandia.
Sophomore first baseman
Alex Lawrence continued her red hot spring by drilling an RBI double that gave Waynesburg (2-4) a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Concordia (2-1). The Cobbers fired back with a four spot in the third to take a three-run lead. Those were the last runs allowed in the contest by sophomore pitcher
Courtney Messenger.
While Messenger proceeded to stymie the opposing offense, her own bats caught fire in the top of the fourth. Sophomore leftfielder
Cat Allstatt connected on a two-run single to make the score 4-3. Two innings later, sophomore shortstop
Keri Renzler drilled a game-tying RBI double. Renzler later came around to score on a run-scoring base knock by Allstat that proved to be the game-winning hit.
Freshman third baseman
Cheyenne Wasko plated an important insurance run in the top of the seventh, when her RBI single drove in Lawrence. Concordia got a runner to second base in the bottom of the frame, but got no further in its comeback try.
Messenger improved to 2-0 in the circle with a complete game victory. She managed to scatter 12 hits and two walks while giving up the four runs. She also racked up a season-high eight strikeouts in the win.
Waynesburg stayed right with Finlandia (3-5) throughout the majority of the late contest. The Jackets trailed 5-4 going into the seventh inning, but a three-spot by the Lions in the top of the frame ultimately decided the game.
Once again, Wasko had the big hit for the Jackets, this time connecting on a two-run double in the fifth inning. Freshman catcher
Rachel Skon and Allstat picked up an RBI each in the loss. Skon connected on a personal collegiate-best and game-high three hits, while Renzler and freshman centerfielder
Courtney Syfert each notched a pair of base knocks.
Senior
Lyndi Gareis worked all seven innings in the circle. She allowed seven earned runs on 14 hits, but didn't walk a batter. Gareis also struck out in her first start of the season.
Waynesburg returns to the diamond with two games on Thursday, March 2. The Jackets face Cabrini at 9 a.m. and Capital at 2 p.m.