Softball celebrates Senior Day with split against Alfred State

MUNHALL, Pa. --- Carlow University softball split an AMCC doubleheader with Alfred State College Saturday.

Prior to first pitch, the Celtics (7-19, 5-5 AMCC) celebrated seniors Maddie Bowes, Jillian Durst and Clara Niglio.

Clara Niglio, Maddie Bowes and Jillian Durst. Photo by Robert Cifone.

Game 1: W, 5-2

Clara Niglio and the Celtics' defense left eight Alfred State runners stranded and held the Pioneers (8-15, 3-7 AMCC) to just two runs on nine hits to win the first game, 5-2.

An error and a single put runners on the corners for Alfred State in the first inning, and a play on the stolen base at second allowed the first run across for the Pioneers.

Carlow quickly evened the score with a two-out solo home run from McKenna Pierce that easily cleared the left field fence in the bottom half of the frame.

A two-out single up the middle gave Alfred State a 2-1 advantage in the third as the Pioneers retired the Celtics in order in the bottom of the inning.

Maddie Bowes got things started for Carlow in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out double through the gap at shortstop, and an error in the next at-bat allowed the inning to continue.

Bella Cartieri singled up the middle to bring in two unearned runs, and Justena Giles hit a single to centerfield to bring her in and put Carlow ahead, 4-2.

The Celtics left three runners stranded through the sixth and added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single to left field from Rosa DePrater.

Niglio earned the complete game win in the circle, allowing one earned run on nine hits with three strikeouts.

Breena Komarnisky suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Adriana DuVal went 3 for 3 with two doubles in the effort at the plate.

Game 2: L, 8-3

The Celtics fell behind early and were unable to mount a late comeback in the nightcap.

Alfred State started the game with an error, and a triple to left field in the next at-bat brought in the Pioneers' first unearned run.

An infield single and a single up the middle scored another run, and a sacrifice fly to left field put Alfred State ahead, 3-0.

Francesca Beighley turned a double play at home on a pop fly to prevent the Pioneers from scoring in the top of the second, but Alfred State returned the favor in the bottom of the inning with a double play on a foul ball that had the first baseman diving back to the bag for the third out.

Both teams retired one another in order in the third, and a single, a stolen base and another error gave Alfred State a 4-0 advantage in the fourth.

The Pioneers retired the Celtics in order in the bottom half of the frame and a two-out RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield put Alfred State up, 5-0, heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Carlow scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the fifth. Bowes started the inning with a single to right centerfield and booked it home on an RBI double to centerfield from Cartieri.

Beighley hit a two-run single to right centerfield to cut Alfred State's lead to 5-3, but the Pioneers recorded two outs in a row to get out of the jam.

Once again both teams were retired in order in the sixth, and Alfred State took advantage of two errors, two singles and a sacrifice bunt to add three more runs in the top of the seventh.

The Pioneers closed out the bottom of the inning, leaving one baserunner stranded to secure the win.

Giles suffered her first loss of the season after allowing two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Tatum Wiggs pitched the final three innings, allowing three unearned runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Cartieri went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI in the effort at the plate.

DuVal earned the win in the circle, allowing three runs on six hits with one strikeout in the complete game effort. Abigail Marinelli hit 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI to lead the Pioneers at the plate.

The Celtics return to action with a 3 p.m. AMCC doubleheader at La Roche University April 23.