Softball picks up first win of spring training, goes 1-1 on the day

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Carlow University softball went 1-1 at The Spring Games in Florida Wednesday.

The Celtics (1-5) picked up their first win of the season over Concordia Moorhead, 2-1, to start the day, and lost, 9-6, to Concordia Chicago in the nightcap.

vs. Concordia Moorhead: W, 2-1

The Celtics eked out a win over the Cobbers (4-10) to start the afternoon.

Moorhead scored its lone run off a throwing error in the top of the first inning, as the Celtics shut down any other scoring possibilities for the Cobbers the remainder of the game.

Clara Niglio and the Carlow defense retired batters in order in the second. A two-out error allowed a base runner, and a subsequent double to right-center field looked like Moorhead would score again in the top of the third, but a 9-6-2 relay play at the plate allowed Carlow to end the inning unscathed.

Riding that momentum, Francesca Beighley hit a one-out double in the bottom half of the frame, and Megan Pollinger poked a two-out single through the hole at second to bring Beighley home and tie the game, 1-1.

Carlow scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fourth. Niglio reached on an error by the shortstop and a sacrifice bunt from Bekah Valenti moved her over to second.

Bella Cartieri hit an infield single to put runners on the corners for the Celtics but got caught stealing second. The throw down to second, however, was enough to bring in Niglio's unearned run and put Carlow up, 2-1. Jillian Durst singled up the middle and stole second, but the Cobbers got a fly out to end the inning.

Beighley landed a double play to end the inning in the top of the fifth, coasting behind first base for the pop out and tossing the ball to Tatum Wiggs at first to catch the runner off base.

Carlow picked up a force out play in the sixth and retired Moorhead in order in the seventh to secure the win.

Niglio tossed her first complete game of the season for the win, allowing one unearned run on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Pollinger hit 2 for 3 with an RBI and Beighley hit 1 for 3 with a double to help lead the Celtics at the plate.

Kyla Abrahamson hit 2 for 3 with two doubles, and Karissa Finnigan suffered the loss for the Cobbers after allowing the go-ahead run on two hits in 3.1 innings.

vs. Concordia Chicago: L, 9-6

The Cougars (3-2) pounded 14 hits in the win over the Celtics.

The Celtics struck first in the top of the first inning. Mackenzie Egley drew a walk, Maddie Bowes hit a one-out single and Pollinger reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases for the Celtics. McKenna Pierce hit an RBI single to bring in Egley, but Chicago got out of the inning without allowing another run.

The Cougars gained a 2-1 advantage with two runs on three hits in the bottom half of the frame.

Two Celtics reached on errors to start the second inning, and Egley pounded a two-run double to left field to bring them home and put Carlow up, 4-2. The Celtics saw runners in scoring position, but the Cougars foiled their plans once again.

Chicago retired the Celtics in order in the top of the third, and an RBI triple cut Carlow's lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the inning.

The Cougars allowed a walk in the fourth before forcing three fly outs in a row to stifle the Celtics, offering Chicago the opportunity to take the lead in the bottom half of the frame.

Back-to-back singles and a two-out walk loaded the bases for the Cougars, and two more singles brought in three runs to put Chicago ahead, 6-3.

Pollinger and Pierce singled to reach base and Niglio nailed an RBI single down the left field line to cut Chicago's lead to 6-4 in the fifth, but the Cougars answered in the bottom of the inning to stay ahead, 7-4.

Two hits and an error brought in two more runs for the Cougars in the bottom of the sixth, pushing Chicago's advantage to 9-4, but the Celtics persevered.

Niglio, Valenti and Cartieri all hit safely to load the bases in the top of the seventh, and Egley hit a one-out single up the middle to bring in two runs and cut Chicago's lead to 9-6, but the Cougars prevented Carlow from scoring again to secure the win.

Egley hit 3 for 4 with four RBI to lead the Celtics at the plate, and Pierce and Niglio each hit 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Pollinger suffered the loss in the circle after allowing four earned runs on eight hits with a walk in two innings of work.

Annabella Archuletta hit 4 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI, and Katelyn Smith hit 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI to lead the Cougars. Jessica Geng hit 2 for 2 with a double and two RBI. Emma Borelli earned the win in the circle, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with two walks. Eden Pufahl picked up the save after allowing two hits in the final inning.

The Celtics conclude spring training with two games tomorrow morning.