Back in a Big Way

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University sophomore designated hitter/pitcher Chrissy Falcone (Mt. Bethel/Bangor H.S.) is this week's MAC Commonwealth Conference Softball Player of the Week as she returned to the everyday lineup to bat .428 (6 for 14) with a home run and six runs batted in – also pitching a complete-game three-hitter as her team went 3-1 in four conference games last week.

Falcone missed a bulk of the team's early season because of a sore shoulder, but returned to the lineup as a DH last week. She was 3 for 4 with a double, home run, five runs batted in, and a pair of runs scored in Susquehanna's 20-4 win last Wednesday at Juniata which completed a doubleheader sweep. She was also the winning pitcher in that game, scattering just three singles over the five-inning game – striking out six and walking three. She was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored in Saturday's 15-4, five-inning win at four-time defending conference champion Messiah – snapping a string of seven-straight losses to the Falcons.

"Offensively, we always knew Chrissy could hit the ball. She's really stepped up at the plate lately, which really helps her confidence pitching," said sixth-year Susquehanna head coach Vince Anselmo. "She came out in her first two innings at Juniata and struckout five batters. That really set the tone and made them defensive up there."

Now second on the team in batting at .381 (8 for 21) with a double, triple and home run, Falcone is tied for the team RBI lead with 10 in just 11 games (0.90 per game). She is now a .337 (34 for 101) career hitter at Susquehanna with 17 RBI and 17 runs scored. She is also 2-3 as a pitcher with a 6.70 earned run average – striking nine and walking 10 in 15 2/3 innings.

Also a student athletic trainer, Falcone is a marketing major and the daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann Falcone.

Susquehanna is presently 9-6 overall, 4-2 and in second place in the MAC Commonwealth Conference. The Crusaders will host conference rival Elizabethtown (7-7, 3-3 MAC CC) in a big 2:30 p.m. doubleheader Tuesday.