Softball swept at Saint Vincent

LATROBE, Pa. --- Carlow University softball fell to Saint Vincent College in nonconference action on the road Monday.

The Bearcats (12-6) swept the Celtics (4-10) 8-0 in five innings and edged past Carlow 7-6 in the nightcap.

Game 1: L, 8-0 (5 inn.)

Meghan Braun tossed a four-hitter and Dakota Hershberger hit a walk-off home run to help lead Saint Vincent to a run-rule victory in the first game.

Two singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly brought the first run in for the Bearcats in the bottom of the first before Carlow pitcher Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) recorded a strikeout to escape another bases-loaded jam.

The Celtics recorded a hit in the first three innings, but Saint Vincent left the runner stranded each time. An error, two singles and a triple brought in four unearned runs for the Bearcats in the bottom of the third, and Saint Vincent turned a double play in the top of the fourth to keep Carlow off the board. Another error, a walk and two hits added two more unearned runs in the bottom half of the frame to put Saint Vincent up, 7-0, and Hershberger hit a two-out home run over the right field fence to end the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Bicko suffered the loss, allowing just two earned runs on eight hits with one strikeout and three walks.

Hershberger went 2 for 3 with a triple and a home run to bring in four RBI for the Bearcats.

Game 2: L, 7-6

The Celtics pounded 10 hits and mounted a comeback in the nightcap, but Saint Vincent came out on top after scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth and retiring Carlow in order in the top of the seventh.

Unearned runs once again plagued the Celtics from the start, with three hits and an error affording the Bearcats four in the bottom of the first.

Carlow cut Saint Vincent's lead in half in the top of the second. McKenna Pierce (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area HS) hit a one-out double to right field, and a single in the same spot off the bat of Bella Cartieri (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area HS) brought her home. A ground out advanced Cartieri to third, and Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) landed a double to right for the second run of the inning.

The Bearcats left two Carlow runners stranded in the third and fifth and retired the Celtics in order in the fourth. The score remained 4-2 as the Celtics retired Saint Vincent in order in the third and fourth and left a runner stranded in the bottom of the fifth.

Carlow gained the lead in the top of the sixth. A single, a walk and two outs put runners on second and third for the Celtics. Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) singled to right to tie the game at 4-4, and a hit batter kept the inning alive. Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) singled to load the bases, and Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) hit a two-run single to put the Celtics ahead, 6-4.

Carlow's lead was short-lived, as the Bearcats scored three runs in the bottom half of the frame.

Two singles placed runners on the corners, and although Carlow's pickoff attempt at second was successful, it allowed a run across. A walk, a double and a single brought in two more runs to give Saint Vincent a 7-6 advantage, and the Bearcats retired Carlow in order in the top of the seventh to end the game.

Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Pierce went 2 for 4 with a double while Beighley and Pollinger drove in two runs apiece.

Olivia Bushore earned the win, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and four strikeouts, and Aj Arnal picked up the save after recording two strikeouts in the final inning. Mackenzie Favero went 2 for 4 with an RBI, Hershberger hit 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBI and Haley Hamilton went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

The Celtics host Salem (W. Va.) University for a 5 p.m. doubleheader March 27 at West Field.