BETHANY, W.Va. (April 14) – The Waynesburg University softball team traveled to Bethany on Friday for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) doubleheader. The Yellow Jackets battled the Bison over 14 intense innings and emerged with a vital conference sweep.
 
Sophomore Courtney Messenger pitched Waynesburg (11-16-1, 5-5) to a 1-0 victory in the opener. Game two saw the Jackets erase a 9-0 deficit to shock the Bison (12-16, 6-4) 10-9. Saturday marked the first time Waynesburg has swept Bethany since 2013.
 
Messenger put together maybe her best effort in two years at Waynesburg in shutting down the Bison on just two singles and a walk. The visiting squad posted the opener's only run when sophomore first baseman Alex Lawrence lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield that allowed freshman centerfielder Courtney Syfert to sprint home with the game-determining tally.
 
Game two got off to a much different start for Waynesburg, which yielded four runs in the second inning and five more in the third. However, the Jackets put forth one of their most impressive efforts of the season in outscoring Bethany 10-0 over the fourth through seventh frames.
 
The comeback began with three runs in the fourth inning. A passed ball allowed Waynesburg's first tally to come home. Senior Lyndi Gareis followed with a two-run single that made the score 9-3.
 
A well-executed squeeze bunt by freshman Cheyenne Wasko allowed Syfert to score and cut Waynesburg's deficit down to 9-4. That play set the stage for a monster sixth inning that ultimately led to the Jacket victory.
 
Gareis came through with a huge hit yet again when she connected on another two-run single. Senior Cat Allstatt kept the merry-go-round going with a two-run base knock of her own that made the score 9-8. Waynesburg took advantage of a Bethany throwing error that sent Allstatt home with the tying run. With one out on the board, Lawrence completed the comeback by doubling home Syfert with the game-winning score.
 
Bethany managed to put a runner on first base with one out on the board in the seventh inning. However, Allstatt, who threw four innings of shutout relief to record her second win in as many appearances, retired the final two batters she faced. She allowed just three hits and a walk during the victory.
 
After recoding just three hits in the opener, Waynesburg cranked out 12 base knocks in game two. Gareis went three-for-four in the shootout win with four RBI and a run scored. Freshman Ashley Dubovich went four-for-seven over the sweep with a pair of runs scored.
 
After going 5-1 over six games this week, the Jackets are off until Wednesday, April 19, when they host Westminster for another PAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.