Softball successful on Senior Day with sweep of Hilbert College

MUNHALL, Pa. --- Carlow University softball celebrated Senior Day with an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference sweep of Hilbert College at West Field Saturday afternoon.

The Celtics improved to 10-18 and 3-3 in AMCC action against the Hawks (10-9, 5-3 AMCC).

Prior to the start of the doubleheader, the Celtics celebrated Senior Day.

From left: Seniors Bella Cartieri, Megan Pollinger, Samantha Tressler, Haley Bicko, Fran Beighley and McKenna Pierce. Photo by Jennifer McKenzie.

Game 1: W, 5-4

Carlow scored all its runs in the first inning. A lead-off triple by Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) and a single from Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) scored Carlow's first run as the Celtics batted through the order in the bottom of the first.

Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) and Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) hit back-to-back, two-run doubles before Hilbert escaped a bases-loaded situation to end the barrage.

The Hawks cut Carlow's lead to 5-3 in the top of the fourth. Three singles in a row and two ground outs brought in two runs before a two-out double to left field scored the final run of the inning.

A single, an error and a double brought in an unearned run for Hilbert in the top of the fifth, now trailing by just one run. Hilbert had a runner on third base in the sixth and seventh, but the Celtics slammed the door and secured the win.

Bicko picked up the win in the circle, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with a strikeout in 4.2 innings. Schumacher earned her first career save, allowing just three hits with a strikeout in the remaining 2.1 innings.

Pollinger hit 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI, Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) hit 2 for 3 and Beighley went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Kailey Stolowski suffered the loss after allowing five earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Alana Yadov went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

Game 2: W, 4-3

Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) hit a two-out, walk-off single to center field to secure another narrow win in the nightcap.

Hilbert struck first, and Carlow tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second. The Hawks gained a 3-1 lead off four hits in the third and held Carlow scoreless through the next three innings.

The Hawks landed a one-out double and a walk in the sixth, prompting another pitching change for the Celtics. Schumacher made her way to the circle and caught the final two batters looking for strikeouts to end the inning, allowing Carlow to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame.

Wiggs hit a lead-off double, followed by a double from Pollinger to cut Hilbert's lead to one run.

A walk and a fly out put runners on the corners for Carlow with one out. Carlow scored the game-tying run in a unique way. Taylor Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) reached on a fielder's choice, as the third baseman attempted to get an out in the basepaths, allowing Pollinger to sneak home for the run. The Hawks secured the second out of the game at second base and caught Taylor Egley reaching for second after Pollinger scored. Regardless of the outcome, the score was now tied 3-3.

Schumacher retired the side in the seventh, giving Carlow one final chance to win.

Bicko hit a one-out single, and Beighley broke her bat on a ground out that allowed Bicko to take second. Mackenzie Egley beat the throw on an infield single to put runners on the corners, and Wiggs stepped to the plate for the walk-off single to end the game.

Schumacher earned the win with three strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Wiggs and Samantha Tressler (Brownsville, Pa./Brownsville Area HS) combined for the no-decision. Wiggs allowed three earned runs on seven hits with a strikeout and two walks in 2.2 innings, and Tressler did not allow a run on two hits with a strikeout and two walks in 2.2 innings.

Wiggs hit 4 for 4 with two doubles and the game-winning RBI, and Bicko went 2 for 4.

Kimberly Bentley was saddled with the loss after allowing the winning run and walking one in 1.2 innings. Alana Yadov started in the circle and allowed three earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Grace Schwarzkopf went 2 for 3 and Samantha Heppel hit 2 for 4 with an RBI.

The Celtics host Pitt Bradford for a 10 a.m. AMCC doubleheader tomorrow.