LEE COUNTY, Fla. (March 7) – The Waynesburg University softball team picked up a two-game split during Wednesday's action at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Yellow Jackets dropped their first game of the year 6-3 to Elms before rebounding with a 4-1 win over Penn State Altoona.
 
Defensive miscues played a big role in the Waynesburg (5-1) loss to the Blazers (2-5). The Jackets committed four errors that led to five unearned runs for Elms. Despite those issues, the two teams were tied 3-3 after four innings. Elms tallied the game-winning run during the top of the fifth inning, before adding one more score in the seventh.
 
The Jackets took the loss despite outhitting the Blazers by an 11-6 margin. Junior first baseman Alex Lawrence had three of those base knocks, including two doubles and an RBI. Sophomore Courtney Syfert and junior Cat Allstatt picked up two hits each during the early contest.
 
Freshman Miranda Bowers got the start in the circle and allowed three runs, one of which was earned, on four hits and no walks. She struck out three opposing hitters. Fellow freshman Emma Kubalak allowed two unearned runs on a hit and three walks over 2.1 innings of work. Junior Courtney Messenger closed out the game by getting the final two outs.
 
Messenger got the start in game two and improved to 3-0 on the season after working seven strong innings. She allowed one run on five hits and no walks. She recorded six shutout innings before yielding the Lions' only run of the contest in the seventh.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Waynesburg put up a three-spot in the top of the second. Sophomore catcher Rachel Skon singled home freshman designated player Tara Staley for the game's first run. The Jackets took advantage of a couple of Altoona mistakes to extend their lead. Sophomore second baseman Ashley Dubovich scored on an error, before Skon raced home on a wild pitch.
 
Another fielding error by Penn State Altoona in the fourth led to Waynesburg's final run of the contest, which was scored by freshman pinch-runner Hannah Batovsky. The Lions attempted a late rally in the seventh, but were only able to put up the one run.
 
Skon went three-for-three with an RBI, while Staley and sophomore third baseman Cheyenne Wasko chipped in two hits each to the winning effort.
 
The Jackets wrap up their stay in Florida on Thursday with games against Drew and Pitt Bradford. First pitch with Drew is scheduled for 9 a.m., with Bradford scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.