ROSEMONT, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College Softball program (1-1) began its 2021 Spring season, splitting a pair of Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) games at Rosemont College (1-1) this afternoon. The Falcons and Ravens split their contests, with Cedar Crest claiming game 1, 18-2, then fell to Rosemont, 10-11.
"It was great to be back out on the field. for our first day back on the dirt in over a year." stated Head Coach, Kim Begley. "There was a lot of good things happening defensively and offensively."
GAME 1:
Cedar Crest got the first run across the plate in the first-inning, coming after Senior Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) ripped a triple into right-center field, then junior Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) grounded out to bring in the run. Both squad would be scoreless until the top of the fourth-inning, when they Black and Yellow scored two runs, increasing their lead to 3-0 off of a pair of doubles from seniors Nicole Santaniello (Kissimmee, Fl./Osceola) and Riley Tremblay (Allentown, Pa./Parkland).
Cedar Crest and Rosemont both scored a run in the fifth and sixth innings. VanBuskirk drove in Heller in the fifth, then Tremblay got an RBI when Santaniello crossed the plate in the sixth, which had Cedar Crest leading the Ravens 5-2 after six innings. The Falcons bats exploded in the seventh inning, where the Black and Yellow put 13 runs.
Nine different Falcons recorded 21 hits in the first game, with Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) each went 4-for-5. Heller scored four runs, drove in two, and recorded a triple, while VanBuskirk had five RBIs, two doubles, scored two runs, and stole a base. Nicole Santaniello (Kissimmee, Fl./Osceola) crossed the plate four times, recording three doubles and an RBI. Senior Patricia Dalton (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) also ended game 1 with three hits, resulting in two runs scored and two RBIs. Two other Falcons recorded two hits, Tremblay went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs while sophomore Rachel Savini (Wilmington, DE/Delaware Military Academy) went 2-for-4 and drove in one RBI and scored a run. Cedar Crest had three others record a hit in the win, graduate student Dallas Horning (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty), senior Danielle Krispin (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock), and sophomore Renee Snyder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland). Horning was credited with an RBI, Krispin scored a run, and Snyder scored twice and was also walked.
"We did a great job stringing hits together and executing at the plate. Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) had an amazing day along with others." continued Begley.
Junior Skyler Bilous (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) got the start in the circle for Cedar Crest, where she threw for 5.0 innings and faced 20 Ravens. Bilous allowed one run on three hits, struck out five batters and walked just two. In the sixth inning, junior Lillian Boltz (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) entered the game and threw to nine batters, giving up only one run on two hits and walked a batter. Bilous earned the first win of the season, making her record (1-0).
GAME 2:
Rosemont got on the board first in game 2, scoring in the bottom of the first inning, but the Falcons would tie it up 1-1, in the top of the second inning off the bat of Savini. The Ravens would add another run in their half of the second, putting the score at 1-2, heading into the third. The Black and Yellow added three runs in the third, coming from the efforts of VanBuskirk, Dalton, and Santaniello. Then four more runs in the fourth to take the lead for the first time in game 2, 8-2. Rosemont then countered with 4 four runs in the fifth to cut the lead to just two, 8-6, but then the Ravens added five more in the bottom of the sixth, to regain the lead, 8-11. Cedar Crest was able to get two runners across the plate in the seventh, but they would not be able to post a comeback, falling 10-11 to Rosemont.
"I was very impressed with our situational hitting. Defensively, we have to tighten some things up. Our outfielders made some huge catches and Riley Tremblay (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) was a wall behind the plate." Begley added.
Rachel Savini (Wilmington, DE/Delaware Military Academy) went 3-for-4, driving in a run and scoring one as well. Three Falcons recorded two-hit performances, one of them coming from Renee Snyder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland), who went 2-for-3, scored twice, and was walked twice. Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) went 2-for-3 and was credited with two RBIs and scored two runs. Skyler Bilous (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), who played shortstop in this game, ended 2-for-4, and scored twice.
Cedar Crest had three others finish with a hit, Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) reached base and scored twice, once on a hit and walked on the other. Patricia Dalton (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) doubled and drove in two runs for her lone hit and Nicole Santaniello (Kissimmee, Fl./Osceola) had a sacrifice fly for an RBI to go along with her base hit.
Graduate student, Breanna Young (Easton, PA/Wilson Area), got the nod to start in game 2, who threw 6.0 innings, giving up all 11 runs on 13 hits against 33 batters. She struck out four Ravens in her debut and walked just one batter. Young received the loss in the decision, putting her record at (0-1).
"Overall, we had a successful day. Everyone showed up, came to play, and I am excited to see where this team takes us." concluded Begley.
Cedar Crest is scheduled to return to action on Thursday, April 1 when the host Cairn University at Blaschak Field in CSAC action. This will be the Falcons first home softball game in 708 days. Be sure to tune in to cedarcrestathletics.com for all updates, live stats and live stream links.
For the full Cedar Crest Softball schedule, CLICK HERE!
