Softball swept in nonconference doubleheader against crosstown foe Point Park

KENNEDY TWP., Pa. --- Carlow University softball lost a pair of nonconference games to Point Park University at Fairhaven Park Wednesday afternoon.

The Pioneers (10-12) defeated the Celtics (2-12) in five innings to start the day and won 4-0 in the nightcap.

Game 1: L, 12-1 (5 inn.)

Point Park pounded 14 hits, including two homeruns to defeat Carlow in five innings to start the afternoon.

An error scored an unearned run for the Pioneers in the bottom of the first, and a double play in the next inning kept Carlow off the basepaths.

Point Park scored six runs on six hits and an error in the bottom of the second, including two, two-run home runs.

A fielder's choice and a two-run double in the bottom of the third put the Pioneers ahead 10-0, and a sacrifice fly and a single brought in two more runs before Carlow could make it out of the inning.

Clara Niglio hit a two-out, RBI single to bring in Carlow's lone run in the top of the fourth, and the Celtics prevented Point Park from scoring in the bottom half of the frame.

The Pioneers retired Carlow in order in the top of the fifth to secure the run-rule win.

Tatum Wiggs was saddled with the loss after allowing six earned runs on seven hits with a walk in 1.1 innings of work. Justena Giles and Megan Pollinger tossed a combined 2.2 innings to close out the game, and Mackenzie Egley doubled for one of Carlow's four hits.

Jaylyn Mullenax earned the win in the circle for the Pioneers, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk.

The Pioneers tallied five extra base hits and two stolen bases in the game.

Game 2: L, 4-0

Both teams recorded eight hits in the nightcap, but Carlow was unable to bring any runners home.

Francesca Beighley went 2 for 3 and Niglio hit 2 for 4 at the plate. Pollinger and McKenna Pierce each tabbed a double in the effort.

Niglio suffered the loss in the circle after allowing three earned runs on seven hits with a strikeout and a walk in five innings of work. Sam Tressler and Pollinger combined to pitch the final inning.

An error and a one-out double saw runners in scoring position for the Celtics to start the game before a line out and ground out put the inning away for the Pioneers.

It was a pitching duel through four innings with each team stranding runners on base, unable to string several hits together or take advantage of errors.

Point Park retired the Celtics in order in the top of the fifth and scored all its runs in the bottom half of the frame.

A single, a walk and an error brought in an unearned run for the Pioneers to break the scoreless stalemate. An RBI single and a two-out, two run double brought in three more runs before Carlow made it out of the inning.

Both teams recorded a hit in the sixth, and Point Park ended the game in the seventh by catching a Carlow runner trying to stretch out a single.

Savannah Lee picked up the win in the circle for Point Park, allowing eight hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Ava Hubble hit 2 for 3 and Kristyna Mala went 1 for 3 with two RBI to help lead the Pioneers.

The Celtics return to the diamond and open AMCC action with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Pitt Greensburg April 3.