Softball drops two in nonconference doubleheader at Waynesburg

WAYNESBURG, Pa. --- Carlow University softball lost a pair of nonconference games to Waynesburg University on the road Thursday.

Game 1: L, 2-1

Although Carlow held the Yellow Jackets (4-3) scoreless through five, two unearned runs in the bottom of the first proved to be all Waynesburg needed to secure a victory in the first game of the doubleheader.

Two singles and walk loaded the bases for Waynesburg with two outs, and an error brought in both unearned runs before Carlow pitcher Clara Niglio recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Carlow's lone run came off the bat of McKenna Pierce with a solo home run over the left field fence to cut the Yellow Jackets' lead to one in the top of the fifth. The Celtics retired Waynesburg in order in the bottom half of the frame, and back-to-back singles saw runners in scoring position in the top of the sixth. The Yellow Jackets made it out of the inning unscathed and left another runner stranded in the top of the seventh for the win.

Niglio suffered the loss after a complete game effort allowing no earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Autumn Stemple recorded the win with one earned run on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

Game 2: L, 10-4

Carlow struck first in the nightcap, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Mackenzie Egley doubled and reached third on a ground out before Megan Pollinger brought her home with a single to center field. Pierce reached on a fielder's choice, and a single to center field from Maddie Bowes put runners in scoring position with two outs. Niglio singled, and a throwing error allowed two unearned runs across before Waynesburg ended the inning with a strikeout.

The Yellow Jackets cut Carlow's lead to two with an unearned run in the bottom half of the frame.

Waynesburg gained the lead in the bottom of the third. Four singles in a row brought in a run, and a fielder's choice tied the game at 3-3. A triple in the next at-bat gave Waynesburg a 5-3 advantage heading into the top of the fourth.

The Yellow Jackets retired the Celtics in order in the top of the fourth and loaded the bases with a single and two walks in the bottom of the inning. A two-run double with one out and a two-run single with two outs put four more runs on the board for Waynesburg, extending their lead to 9-3.

A walk and back-to-back singles by Niglio and Bekah Valenti loaded the bases for Carlow in the top of the sixth, and a ground out to the right side from Jillian Durst brought in what would be the Celtics' final run of the game.

A solo home run in the bottom of the inning put Waynesburg ahead 10-4, and the Yellow Jackets left two runners stranded in the top of the seventh to secure the win.

Pollinger was saddled with the loss after allowing eight earned runs on seven hits with a strikeout and two walks in 1.1 innings of work. Tatum Wiggs tossed two innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits, and Sam Tressler pitched 2.2 innings with one earned run on four hits and a strikeout.

Bowes hit 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored, and Niglio went 2 for 4 at the plate for the Celtics.

Egley hit a double, while Pollinger and Durst recorded two RBI.

Sydney Wilson earned the win for Waynesburg, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Kassidy Trimble went 3 for 3 with a double, and Jasmine Demaske hit 2 for 4 with a triple and four RBI.

The Celtics return to action with a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader at Penn State Greater Allegheny March 16.