SCRANTON, Pa – The Elmira College softball team traveled to Scranton, PA for a Saturday doubleheader against the Pacers of Marywood University. The Soaring Eagles battled but dropped both doubleheader games, 6-5 and 13-9.
 
GAME ONE: Soaring Eagles Fall Just Short in Game One
Elmira got things started in the second inning with singles by Teona Cruz and Jocelyn Jean to put two runners on base. A few batters later, a triple hit to right field by Kendall Curreri, drove home both runners and EC took a 2-0 advantage. Jenna Burns followed that up with a double to right, bringing home Curreri and pushing the Soaring Eagles in front 3-0. Savannah Persun pitched a strong first two innings for Elmira, seeing some trouble in the second, but escaping with no damage. EC struck again in the third inning when Cruz homered down the right field line, making the score 4-0. The Pacers threatened with two runners on in the third but were unable to bring anyone across to score.

Marywood got on the board when they brought a run across in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 4-1. Hannah Colwill walked to start the fifth and later stole second base to move into scoring position. Cruz doubled into right center, driving home Colwill to score and extending the Soaring Eagle's advantage to 5-1. The Pacers responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the deficit to one run entering the final inning of play. Marywood added again in the seventh when a two-out single brought home two runs, claiming a walk-off win for the Pacers, as the Soaring Eagles dropped this one 6-5.

LEADERS
Offensively, Cruz led the way, going 3-4 including a home run and a double. She recorded two RBIs and notched a run scored as well. Jean went 2-4 at the plate, and totaled a run scored. Curreri was 1-2 with a triple, tallying two RBIs and a run scored. Burns ended this contest 2-3 with a run scored.

GAME TWO: Soaring Eagles Stumble in Game Two Against Marywood
Elmira was very disciplined at the plate to start this one with walks to Curreri, Cruz, and Jean to load the bases with one out. Sophia Polzella singled to left, bringing home Curreri and Cruz to give EC an early 2-0 advantage. Jean scored the third run for Elmira two batters later when Sophia Temple singled up the middle. Rachel Lunger followed that with a single of her own, this one to right field, driving home Polzella and making the score 4-0 Soaring Eagles. The Pacers responded with six runs in the bottom of the first, taking the advantage from EC 6-4. Curreri and Colwill singled to start the second, as Elmira tried to gather momentum back. A few batters later, Polzella launched a ball to center field and over the fence for a three-run homer. This homer gave Elmira the advantage right back and made the score 7-6. Marywood responded again in the bottom of the inning with two runs to push themselves back in front 8-7. The Pacers added three more runs in the third, taking momentum from EC and an 11-7 advantage.

Marywood grabbed some more insurance runs in the fourth inning, scoring two more times, and moving themselves in front 13-7. Jean led off the fifth with a double to right center. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Kristen Cole to cut the deficit to five runs. Elmira got some momentum in the sixth when Lunger and Riley Storrs started off the inning by both reaching base. EC was unable to push across any runs in the inning however and the score remained the same. The Pacers threatened with two runners on in their half but were also unable to score any runs. Jean walked and Polzella doubled to start the final inning off play, as Elmira tried to generate a possible late comeback. Jean scored on a groundout by Temple, but that was all the Soaring Eagles could get, dropping this game 13-9.

LEADERS
Offensively, Polzella led the way, going 3-4, including a double and a homer, while tallying five RBIs and recording two runs scored. Colwill went 2-4 at the plate, while notching a run scored. Jean went 1-2, totaling three runs scored, and a pair of walks. Shelby Dawe pitched a clean inning for EC.

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles travel to Hamburg, NY for a doubleheader against the Hawks of Hilbert College on Wednesday March 25^th. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 3:00 PM.