WAYNESBURG, Pa. (March 27) – After playing nearly three weeks of the 2019 season, the Waynesburg University finally got to play in front of a friendly crowd home crowd. The Yellow Jackets welcomed to NAIA member Point Park to town for their home opener and played 14 quality innings against a traditionally strong Pioneer squad.
 
Unfortunately, Waynesburg (4-12) was unable to come away with a victory against Point Park (6-13) on the day. The visitors took game one 3-2 and followed with another one-run triumph (2-1).
 
After the game opened with neither team scoring in the first two innings, PPU pushed two runs across home plate in the top of the third. The Jackets didn't' take long to answer, as senior leftfielder Cat Allstatt (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) smacked an RBI double that plated freshman third baseman Megan Walker (Carmichaels, Pa. / Carmichaels).
 
After a scoreless fourth, Point Park brought home the eventual game-winning run in the top of the fifth inning. Once again, Waynesburg had a quick answer with a tally in the bottom of the frame. This time it was junior catcher Rachel Skon (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brashear) who did the honors with a run-scoring single that plated Allstatt.
 
The Jackets had a chance to move the game to extra innings or win it in regulation after Skon singled with one out. Unfortunately, the Pioneers recorded back-to-back outs to hold on for the victory.
 
Sophomore Emma Kubalak (Spring Mills, Pa. / Penns Valley) got the start in the circle and took a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits over four innings. She didn't walk a batter. Senior Courtney Messenger (East Liverpool, Ohio / Beaver Local) suffered the loss, but pitched well in relief. She allowed just one run on four hits during three innings of work.
 
Game two played out very similarly to the opener. After neither team could tally a score over the first four innings of play, Point Park logged a two-spot in the top of the fifth. Waynesburg appeared poised for a big inning after back-to-back hits in the bottom of the inning. After a groundout put runners at second and third with one out, the Jackets looked like they might not score anything following a strikeout. However, Skon broke up the shutout following a passed ball and senior first baseman Alex Lawrence (Bridgeville, Pa. / Chartiers Valley) followed her into third base.
 
Once again, unfortunately, Waynesburg just couldn't quite find the big hit it needed as the third out was posted with no further damage done. The Jackets final six batters over the sixth and seventh frames went down in order, allowing Point Park to complete the sweep.
 
After splitting time with Kubalka in game one, Messenger logged all seven innings in the late contest. She managed to scatter 10 hits over the complete-game effort and give up just two runs. Messenger didn't walk a batter for a second-straight outing.
 
Skon, Lawrence and Allstatt all went three-for-seven on the afternoon to pace the Jacket offense. Two of Allstatt's hits were doubles.
 
Waynesburg is scheduled to be back on its home field tomorrow when it hosts Westminster to open Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.