2008 Game Summaries

April 26: Merchant Marine 5, Susquehanna 1; Susquehanna 5, Merchant Marine 2
April 24: York 5, Susquehanna 4 (8 inn.); York 8, Susquehanna 2
April 19: Moravian 3, Susquehanna 1 (9 inn.); Moravian 9, Susquehanna 1
April 17: Wilkes 10, Susquehanna 8; Wilkes 12, Susquehanna 6
April 16: Susquehanna 1, Juniata 0; Juniata 5, Susquehanna 2
April 12: Scranton 2, Susquehanna 0; Scranton 3, Susquehanna 2
April 10: Bucknell 2, Susquehanna 0
April 5: Drew 1, Susquehanna 0 (8); Susquehanna 5, Drew 1
April 3: Lebanon Valley 8, Susquehanna 0; Lebanon Valley 11, Susquehanna 1
March 29: Ursinus 6, Susquehanna 2; Susquehanna 7, Ursinus 2
March 26: Susquehanna 12, Lycoming 2; Susquehanna 13, Lycoming 2
March 24: Catholic 11, Susquehanna 5; Catholic 2, Susquehanna 1 (8 inn.)
March 15: Susquehanna 2, Gettysburg 1 (8 inn.); Gettysburg 15, Susquehanna 1 (5 inn.)
March 5: Susquehanna 8, Rochester 2; Susquehanna 8, Alvernia 4
March 4: Thiel 4, Susquehanna 3; Malone 10, Susquehanna 3
March 3: Susquehanna 16, Cedar Crest 0; Cedar Crest 2, Susquehanna 1
March 2: Susquehanna 9, Alvernia 0; Montreat 10, Susquehanna 0

April 26: Susquehanna splits with Merchant Marine Game 1 Game 2

KING'S POINT, N.Y. – Five was the magic number for the Susquehanna University and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy softball teams Saturday, as that was the score for the winner in each game of a doubleheader. The Mariners (13-23-1, 2-9-1 Landmark Conference) won game one, 5-1, while the Crusaders (11-22, 3-9 Landmark) took game two, 5-2.

Merchant Marine scored all of its five runs in the third inning. Susquehanna responded with a run in the fourth, but that would be all it could send home. The Crusaders got doubles from Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) and Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) in 1-for-3 efforts.

Despite suffering the loss on the mound, freshman pitcher Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) added to her record-setting season strikeout total, sitting down nine batters to finish the season with 156 strikeouts.

In game two, both teams were scoreless through two innings until Susquehanna broke through with a run in the third. The Crusaders then added four more runs in the fourth, and the Mariners plated two in the sixth.

Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) led the team at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) went 1-for-4, also with a double and RBI.

Bennett pitched a complete game for the win, striking out two Mariners. She also helped her own effort with a run scored.

April 24: Susquehanna swept by Spartans Game 1 Game 2

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – After a heartbreaking one-run, extra-inning loss in game one, the Susquehanna University softball team could only muster two runs in game two to suffer a sweep at the hands of York College Thursday. Despite the losses, a new Susquehanna pitching record was set in the second game of the day.

The Crusaders (10-21, 2-8 Landmark) jumped out to an early lead in game one, scoring two runs in the second inning. Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) reached with a double to right center, advanced to third on a Kim Rubino (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) single and scored on a Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) sacrifice. Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) doubled to left to bring home Rubino.

The Spartans then scored a run in each of the next three innings to take a 3-2 lead, but Susquehanna tied things back up in the bottom of the fifth. Erin Diefenbach (New Columbia, Pa./Milton), pinch running for Halsey, scored from second on a Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) single.

After two scoreless innings, the game went into an extra eighth frame. York scored what would be the game-winning runs on a Sam Lawrence home run. Susquehanna put one run across in the bottom half of the inning when Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) came home thanks to another McCann single, but that would not be enough.

The highlight of game two was a 13-strikeout performance by freshman pitcher Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield), who broke the Susquehanna single-season strikeout mark of 135 set by Kristen Hogan in 1999. Swerdlow got her record in style, coming into the game in the second inning to relieve Halsey, sitting at 133 strikeouts for the season. She sat down one batter to end that inning and inch within one, but in the top of the third struck out the side to put her at 137.

Swerdlow almost repeated the feat in the fourth except for a first-out fly ball, but the next two batters went down swinging. She would get at least two strikeouts in each of the next three innings.

The record-breaking performance was not enough to overcome a 7-1 deficit after two innings. The Crusaders added another run in the sixth inning on Blaszka's second double of the day, which scored Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus).

At the plate, Brennan Balfour (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth) and Blaszka each went 1-for-3 with a double, and McCurley went 2-for-3.

April 19: Moravian 3, Susquehanna 1 (9 inn.); Moravian 9, Susquehanna 1 Game 1 Game 2

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – On senior day at Sassafras Field, the Crusaders (10-19, 2-8 Landmark) dropped a pair of conference games to Landmark-leading, Moravian College (25-5, 10-0 Landmark).

Crusaders Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton), Erin Diefenbach (New Columbia, Pa./Milton), Amy Licata (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood), Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) and Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) were honored as veteran players following an edge-of-the-seat nine inning game one.

They Greyhounds gathered a run in the top of the third when Stephanie Falzarano singled through the right side to get on first. Falzarano then stole second, advanced to third on a Beth Paly single and returned home on a Crusader fielding error to score Moravian’s first of the day.

From that point on, both teams were held silent until Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) was entered into the Crusader lineup as a pinch hitter with two outs. Bringing the crowd to their feet, Blaszka belted a triple to left field to bring home pinch runner Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) tying the game at one apiece.

With neither team managing to cross the plate in the eighth, Kelly Santry opened the second additional inning with a single. She stayed put as the Crusaders accrued two outs on the Greyhounds. It was catcher Deanna Mangieri’s turn at bat that decided the game. Mangieri homered to put Moravian ahead 3-1; ultimately, a deficit the Crusaders could not undo.

With the 3-1, ninth inning Greyhound victory, freshman pitcher Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) suffered the loss despite firing off 11 strikeouts and walking not a sole. Maria DeBonis earned the win for Moravian.

Moravian’s momentum from their extra-inning win moved with them into game two, as did the Crusader’s disappointment.

The Greyhounds tallied two three-run innings en route to a 9-1, game two victory. Susquehanna managed only four hits in game two, earning their lonely run on a passed ball in the sixth inning.

Swerdlow pitched back-to-back games and tallied a second loss on the mound in game two, while Maria DeBonis again produced a win. Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) led the Crusaders in the second connecting with 2-of-3.

April 17: Wilkes 10, Susquehanna 8; Wilkes 12, Susquehanna 6 Game 1 Game 2

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Crusader Softball team dropped a doubleheader to former Middle Atlantic Conference opponent, Wilkes University on Thursday afternoon at Sassafras Field.

The Colonels (19-11) tallied a six-run fourth inning to take game one from the Crusaders (10-17), 10-8. In game two, Susquehanna led after the first three innings before going scoreless in the last four innings, to drop the nightcap 12-6.

Wilkes opened the day with a run that advanced home on an error in left field. Susquehanna responded with three runs in the second to take a 3-1 lead into the third.

With Taylor Crawford (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) and Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) on first and second respectively, senior Erin Diefenbach (New Columbia, Pa./Milton) hit a triple to left field and returned home on an error to give the Crusaders their two-run advantage.

The Colonels mirrored the Crusader’s second inning, bringing home three in the third, to which Susquehanna brought home one.  Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) ran in the Crusaders fourth of the day on a Halsey RBI single.

Up to bat in the top of the fourth, the Colonels brought in game-winning runs to go ahead 12-4. Four of Wilkes’ six came thanks to a Gina Setfanelli grand slam. The remaining two were brought home as Cori Saltzer doubled to right field to bring home Lindsay Behrenshausen and Alison Frantz.

Susquehanna fell two runs short of a comeback in the fifth, scoring four runs to end the action on the day. With bases loaded, Crawford singled down the left line to force Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) home.  The following play, Bryn Whitmire (Lederach, Pa./Souderton Area) singled down the opposite line to allow Kim Rubino (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) home, brining the score within four, 10-6. A Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) single to right center brought Whitmire and Crawford across the plate to end the scoring for game one.

Stefanelli led the Colonels going 2-for-3 with three runs and four RBI, while Diefenbach led the orange and maroon connecting with 2-of-3, scoring a run and tallying three RBI. Sarah Plavchak captured the win on the mound for Wilkes, while Halsey suffered the loss for Susquehanna.

In game two, Susquehanna scored three apiece in both the first and second then was held scoreless for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, Wilkes registered five runs in the first two before being held silent in the third. A total of seven additional runs in the latter half of the game would give Wilkes a steady 12-6 win over the Crusaders.

McCurley scored two of Susquehanna’s runs en route to leading the team, connecting with 3-of-4 and adding an RBI. In addition to McCurley’s runs in the opening innings, Holota and Whitemire both scored in the first, while Balfour and Blaszka tagged on Susquehanna’s last of the day in the second.

Bennett took the loss pitching for the Crusaders, while Behrenshausen gathered the win for the visitors.

April 16: Susquehanna 1, Juniata 0; Juniata 5, Susquehanna 2 Game 1 Game 2

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Susquehanna University softball team squared off against Landmark Conference opponent Juniata College on Wednesday afternoon as they split out the twinbill against the Eagles. Susquehanna won the first game 1-0, but Juniata bounced back to take a 5-2 victory in the second.

In the first game, Susquehanna (10-14, 2-5 Landmark) scored the solo run in the top of the fourth when senior Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) homered to left center to bring herself home. Despite three additional Crusader hits and seven total hits for the Eagles, the score remained at 1-0 to hand the visiting orange and maroon troop the victory.

McCurley led the Crusaders going 2-for-3 with her one run and RBI. For Juniata, Sarah Eckard went 3-for-4, while Rachel Nagy connected with all three pitches she was dealt. Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) threw the first 4.2 innings for the win, while Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) relieved her in the fifth for the save. Alyssa Erb suffered the loss for the Eagles.

In game two, Susquehanna jumped off to a good start as Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) doubled to left field to bring home Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston). Juniata stepped to the plate and responded, tallying three of their own, to lead 3-1 entering the second.

The Crusaders managed a quick four at-bats before returning to their fielding positions. The Eagles scored two runs to close out the second and lead 5-1.

With a looming four-run deficit, Susquehanna added the final run of the game in the fourth inning as Bryn Whitmire (Lederach, Pa./Souderton Area) singled down the right field line to advance Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) home from second base.

The game concluded dropping the Crusaders to 10-15 overall and 2-6 in conference play, while Juniata broke .500 with a 15-14 overall record (3-7 Landmark).

McCann led the Crusaders going 2-for-4 with one run scored, as Eckard again led Juniata connecting with 3-of-4 and scoring two runs.

Pitching the first 4.2 innings, Swerdlow suffered the loss for the visitors while Erb tallied the win for Juniata.

April 12: Scranton 2, Susquehanna 0; Scranton 3, Susquehanna 2 Game 1 Game 2

SELINSGROVE, PA – Saturday afternoon the Crusaders dropped a pair of losses to Landmark-leading opponent, the University of Scranton. The Royals took the first game 2-0 and the second 3-2 on the breezy spring afternoon.

In game one, Susquehanna let up a run in the third and a second in the top of the fifth to allow the visitors a 2-0 win after the seventh. Pitching was strong for both teams as Scranton went 4-for-25 and the Crusaders, 5-for-25.

Susquehanna was hopeful as they loaded their bases with two outs in the first; however Scranton pitcher Isabel Mendez tallied one of her two strikeouts to end the inning knotted at nil-nil.

The second inning came-and-went before Mary Beth Vogel tripled to left center and returned home to give the Royals a 1-0 lead in the top of the third.

The fourth was quiet on both behalves. The Royals managed another run in the fifth thanks in part to a second triple that mirrored their third inning success. The two sporadic runs were enough to put the Crusaders away, as the lingering innings remained void of any action.

Sophomore Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) led the Crusaders, connecting with 2-of-three while center fielder, Mia Collarini got a piece of 2-of-four for the Royals. Mendez tallied a win on the mound for the purple and white, while Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) suffered the loss for Susquehanna.

In game two, the Crusaders would fall short a second time, dropping to 9-14 overall and 1-5 in the Landmark, while the Royals improved to 18-4 overall and 6-0 in conference play.

Scoring opened in the top of the third as the Royals’ Sarah Capodice crossed-the-plate after Erin Moreau doubled to right field, earning an RBI. The fourth and fifth passed with two lone runners left on base, before both the U of S and SU would score two each to finalize scoring on the day.

Scranton went ahead 3-0 in the sixth as Kasey Borbidge tripled to right center to bring home Annie Zeleniak. Borbidge rounded the bases and returned home herself to score the game-winning run. Susquehanna stepped to the plate anxious for a come-back; however fell one short.

Sarah Bartoletti (Wilkes Barre, Pa./James M. Coughlin) and Deanna Anderson  (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area) each returned home to trail 3-2 after the sixth. With one last chance for redemption, Susquehanna fell victim to Scranton’s defense to end the game.

Susquehanna was led by Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) who was 2-for-3 at bat, while Zeleniak went 2-for-2 for the Royals. Kasey Borbidge got the win on the mound for Scranton, while freshman pitcher Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) tallied the loss for the orange and maroon.

April 10: Crusaders edged by Division I Bucknell Boxscore

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Susquehanna University softball team dropped a 2-0 decision to Division I neighbor Bucknell Thursday in Lewisburg. The Crusaders (9-12, 1-3 Landmark) caught the Bison (14-21) on something of a hot streak, as it was the team's sixth win in seven games.

Freshman pitcher Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) had a solid effort, giving up six hits and only one earned run while striking out six. She held Bucknell scoreless until the fifth inning, when the Bison plated both of their runs.

It was a tough offensive day for the Crusaders as they managed only three hits, one apiece from Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston), Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) and Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville).

April 5: Drew 1, Susquehanna 0 (8); Susquehanna 5, Drew 1 Game 1 Game 2

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna lost an extra-inning game one of a doubleheader against Landmark Conference opponent Drew before winning the second game by a 5-1 final.

The Cruasders spoiled Drew's Lauren Collini's no-hitter with a two-hit sixth inning. Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) led off the inning with a single. Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) roped toward the shortstop, but Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area), who pinch ran for Halsey, was ruled out on an interference call to end the inning.

Drew's Kati Eggert reached first on a single in the eighth, and she advanced on a sacrifice to third. Eggert reached home by means of a Kerry Crowley double that served to be the go-ahead run.

Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) pitched a gem, allowing just one run on eight hits with four strikeouts in eight innings of work.

Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) made history in Saturday's second game against Drew as she struck out more batters in a game than any other pitcher in Susquehanna softball history with 14.

Swerdlow pitched a complete game as the Crusaders won the second contest against the Rangers by a 5-1 score.

Swerdlow retired seven straight batters spanning from the third inning to the fifth inning.

Susquehanna responded to Drew's one-run first inning by batting around in the bottom of the first inning, scoring five runs while forcing the Rangers to make two pitching changes.

Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) paced the Crusader offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Holota, who was on the receiving end of Swerdlow's 14-strikeout performance, recorded 14 putouts.

Notably, Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) batted 2-for-4 with one run scored.

Drew's Collini entered the game after the Rangers struggled in the first inning, and the first-game winner stopped the bleeding with three strikeouts and no earned runs throughout her 5.1 innings of work.

Susquehanna's 1-3 record ties the Crusaders for fifth in the Landmark with Juniata.

April 3: Susquehanna drops doubleheader to Lebanon Valley Game 1 Game 2

ANNVILLE, Pa. – On Thursday afternoon the Susquehanna softball team dropped the first of two games 8-0 to the Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley.

The Dutchmen opened the five-inning game with four runs in the first to take a commanding 4-0 lead entering the second. Susquehanna was unable to produce a run in the top of the second before Lebanon Valley struck again. A Jessica Salisbury home run helped to bring in two of the Dutchmen’s four runs during the inning.

The remainder of the game was moot, with the game ending after Susquehanna’s third out in the fifth. Susquehanna was led by senior Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) and freshman Deanna Anderson (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area), both recording doubles, while Lindsay Melton (West Chester, Pa./East) suffered the loss on the mound.

The offensive struggles continued in game two, as the Dutchmen once again jumped out to a big lead -- four runs in the first inning -- to which the Crusaders could not respond. The lone Susquehanna run came in the fifth inning, when Cara Bonfanti (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) walked, then Erin Diefenbach (New Columbia, Pa./Milton), who pinch ran, advanced to third on an error that also allowed Natasha Eisenhart (Womelsdorf, Pa./Conrad Weiser) to reach second. Diefenbach then scored when Amy Licata (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) reached on a fielder's choice.

McCurley and Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) collected hits for the Crusaders and Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) pitched four innings, striking out four.

March 29: Susquehanna splits with Ursinus Game 1 Game 2

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Susquehanna University softball team split its 2008 home opener with Ursinus College, as the Bears (10-6) took game one, 6-2, and the Crusaders (8-8, 0-2 Landmark) prevailed in game two, 7-2.

Ursinus got three runs in the top of the first inning to set the tone for game one. Susquehanna battled back in the bottom of the second, as Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) got on base with a triple and scored on a passed ball. Bryn Whitmire (Lederach, Pa./Souderton Area) singled and then scored on an Amy Licata (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) triple.

Freshman Lindsay Melton (West Chester, Pa./East) took the loss on the mound for the Crusaders and pitched four innings, giving up five runs on five hits and striking out three. Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) finished out the game, surrendering just one run on four hits.

In game two, fortunes reversed for the Crusaders. The Bears scored one run in the top of the first, but Susquehanna responded with two in the bottom of the inning. Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) got her first of two RBIs on the day as her single scored Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston), then came home as well on a Bennett single.

Susquehanna tacked on four more runs in the second inning, three coming on another Blaszka triple. McCurley then singled to right to score Blaszka.

Neither team could generate any offense over the next two innings as neither pitcher gave up a hit until the fourth, when the Crusaders mustered just one. Ursinus scored in the top of the fifth but Susquehanna tacked on another run of their own in the sixth. Sara Bartoletti (Wilkes Barre, Pa./James M. Coughlin) smashed a triple to right to start off the inning, then scored on a Deanna Anderson (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area) single.

Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) got the complete-game win for the Crusaders, striking out 11 and giving up two runs on six hits.

March 26: Crusaders take two from Warriors Game 1 Game 2

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – In an offensive explosion, the Susquehanna University softball team took a doubleheader from Lycoming College, 12-2 and 13-2. The Crusaders had a combined 36 hits over the two games.

Twenty-two of those hits came in game one, as every Susquehanna starter got at least one hit. Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double, driving in three runs.

Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) had a double and homered in a 3-for-6 day. Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) and Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) each added a three-bagger in 2-for-5 efforts, driving in three runs between them.

Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) was the beneficiary of the offensive support, taking the win on the mound for the Crusaders.

Halsey pitched game two, holding Lycoming to four hits. She helped her own effort at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. McCurley had another big bat, hitting a grand slam in the third and also scoring two runs.

Cara Bonfanti (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and Kim Rubino (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) also crossed home plate three times and had two hits.

March 24: Crusaders drop first Landmark doubleheader to Catholic Game 1 Game 2

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Susquehanna University softball team finally got to play its first games in its new conference, facing the Catholic University of America in a doubleheader rescheduled from last Thursday. The Cardinals took both games, winning 11-5 and 2-1 (in eight innings).

Susquehanna senior Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) showed discipline at the plate in both games for the Crusaders, going 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored in game one and 1-for-2 with a double and two walks in game two.

Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) was 1-for-4 with two RBIs in game one and Deanna Anderson (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.

Lindsay Melton (West Chester, Pa./East) took the loss on the mound in the first game, pitching four innings. Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) came in in relief and pitched two innings.

In game two, both teams had trouble finding their way home. Catholic scored in the first inning and Susquehanna answered in the third, but the game had to go into extra innings. Amy Licata (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk for the Crusaders.

Despite a strong complete-game effort, Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) suffered the loss on the mound. She struck out 12 batters and walked two while giving up five hits and one earned run.

March 15: Susquehanna 2, Gettysburg 1 (8 inn.); Gettysburg 15, Susquehanna 1 (5 inn.) Game 1 Game 2

GETTYSBURG, PA – The Susquehanna University softball team (5-5 overall) split a non-conference doubleheader with Gettysburg College (5-3 overall) on Saturday afternoon, winning the first 2-1 and falling 15-1 in the second game.

Game one saw little action until Susquehanna senior Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) hit an RBI double to bring home Susquehanna’s pair of runs in the top of the extra inning breaking the 0-0 7-inning deadlock.

Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) and Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) were positioned on first and second respectively when McCann doubled to center field allowing Blaszka and Holota to round the bases and put two runs on the board for the orange and maroon.

Gettysburg stepped to the plate with a two run deficit in mind to bring home a sole run to drop a 2-1 decision in the eighth. Caitlin Bay retuned home off an RBI single from Heather Sagaities to put the Bullets on the board while Casey Bialek advanced to second. Next to bat, Erin Ober singled to right field as Bialek rounded third to be thrown out at home to give the Crusaders their fifth win of the season.

Freshman Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) pitched the 8-inning contest for the Crusaders allowing only one run and four hits while striking out 12 en route to Susquehanna’s game one victory. McCann was joined by Taylor Crawford (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) and Natasha Eisenhart (Womelsdorf, Pa./Conrad Weiser) each going 1-for-3 for the Crusaders.

In the second game, the Bullets revenged their late game loss with a 15-1 5-inning win over the visiting Crusaders.

Gettysburg opened with a single run in the first inning and followed with a five-run second to advance to 6-0 entering the third. Susquehanna scored its sole run in the top of the third when Sara Bartoletti (Wilkes Barre, Pa./James M. Coughlin) returned home on a Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) sacrifice fly to left field.

The Bullets finalized the day’s scoring with a nine-run fourth inning to implement the 10-run rule.

Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) pitched the first three innings before being relieved by Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) in the fourth. Beth McCullough pitched five straight to earn the win for the Bullets.

Wednesday, March 5: Susquehanna 8, Rochester 2; Susquehanna 8, Alvernia 4

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Susquehanna University softball team closed out its eight-game season-opening trip to the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex with a pair of wins against the University of Rochester and Alvernia College. Susquehanna won the opener 8-2 and went on to beat Alvernia in eight innings by a score of 8-4.

Led by catcher Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) who was 3-for-4 with two doubles, the Crusaders tallied 12 hits en route to an 8-2 win over the Yellowjackets. Third baseman Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) also connected with three of four while Bryn Whitmire (Lederach, Pa./Souderton Area) and Taylor Crawford (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) each went 2-for-4.

Freshman pitcher Lindsay Melton (West Chester, Pa./East) nabbed her first win of the season yielding two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out five.

In the second match up of the day, the Susquehanna Crusaders beat the Crusaders of Alvernia College in eight innings. Tied at four apiece, the orange and maroon tallied four additional runs in the eighth inning to end their spring break trip with a 8-4 win bringing their overall record to 4-4.

Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, PA/Pottsville) pitched the first five innings before being relieved by freshman Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) in the sixth. Swerdlow allowed only one hit while striking out seven batters to earn her second collegiate victory.

Susquehanna tallied 13 hits in game two, five of which came in the eighth frame. Junior Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) led Susquehanna with two singles and a home run while Crawford, Holota and pinch hitter Kim Rubino (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) each were 2-for-5.

Tuesday, March 4: Thiel 4, Susquehanna 3; Malone 10, Susquehanna 3

Monday, March 3: Susquehanna 16, Cedar Crest 0; Cedar Crest 2, Susquehanna 1

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – The Susquehanna University softball team split a doubleheader with Cedar Crest College at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex on Monday.

The Crusaders opened the day with a dominating 16-0 win over the Falcons. Junior Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, PA/Pottsville) pitched the Crusaders to a win tallying three strikeouts.

Two of the Crusaders' 11 hits in game one were homeruns from the bats of freshman Brennan Balfour (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth) and senior Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus), both earning their first collegiate round-tripper.

Balfour’s homerun came with bases loaded to bring in four consecutive runs. In addition Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston), Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) and Taylor Crawford (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) each went 2-for-3.

In game two of Monday’s doubleheader, Lindsay Melton (West Chester, Pa./East) struck out five while on the mound in a 2-1 loss to the Falcons.

The Crusaders were led by a 2-of-3 performance by McCurley while the team’s sole run came from Holota off a Sara Bartoletti (Wilkes Barre, Pa./James M. Coughlin) RBI.

Also making hits for the orange and maroon were Balfour and Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional).

Sunday, March 2: Susquehanna 9, Alvernia 0; Montreat 10, Susquehanna 0

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Susquehanna University softball team opened its 2008 season splitting the day’s games at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon, winning the opener 9-0 over Alvernia College while falling 10-0 to Montreat College during the nightcap.

In the five inning opener, freshman pitcher Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) made an impressive college debut striking out 13 while allowing no hits or runs. Only a walk kept her from a perfect game.

The Crusaders racked in 12 hits and 9 runs. Amy Litcata (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) went 3-for-3 scoring a single run, while Cara Bonfanti (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) finished 2-for-3 while tallying two runs for the orange and maroon.

In game two, Montreat applied the eight-run rule in the fifth inning as the Lady Cavalier pitcher Amanda Wolfe pitched five strike outs while allowing only three Crusader hits in the complete-game win.

Susquehanna’s hits came from Megan McCurley (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus), Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) and Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) each going 1-for-2.

The Crusaders gave up four runs in the first inning and six in the fourth to cap off the day’s scoring. Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) tossed 4 2/3 innings before giving way to Halsey who pitched for one out.