CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College softball program won a pair of Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) games against Clarks Summit University (3-17, 2-10 CSAC) on Friday afternoon. The Falcons (10-2, 10-2 CSAC) took Game 1, 12-1 in five innings, then shutout the Defenders 9-0 in six innings in Game 2.

"It was a great team effort, today" commented Head Coach Kim Begley.

GAME 1:

Cedar Crest struck first, scoring twice in the first inning, but Clarks Summit quickly cut the lead in half, scoring one run to close out the inning. The Falcons would score in every inning and hold the Defenders scoreless for the next four innings. The Black and Yellow scored three runs in the second, two runs in both the third and fourth innings, then added three more runs in the fifth inning, to claim a 12-1 victory.

Nine Falcons combined for 13 hits, with senior Riley Tremblay (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) going 3-for-4 with a double, drove in two RBIs, and scored once. Senior Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and junior Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) each went 2-for-4 in the game, with Heller scoring twice and hit a double as VanBuskirk drove in two runs and scored one of her.

Graduate student Dallas Horning (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty), seniors Patricia Dalton (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) and Danielle Krispin (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock), and juniors Skyler Bilous (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), Lillian Boltz (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury), and Rachel Savini (Wilmington, DE/Delaware Military Academy) all recorded base hits in the contest. Horning drove in a run as Dalton reached base on a double and brought in three RBIs. Savini hit a double, scored a run, and plated one runner as Bilous scored twice for the Falcons.

Junior Skyler Bilous (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) started in the circle for the Black and Yellow, throwing for 3.0 innings, faced 12 batters, allowed one earned run on three hits and struck out three. Junior Lillian Boltz (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) entered the game and threw for 2.0 innings, striking out two Defenders and did not allow a hit in the six batters she faced. Bilous earned another win, making her record (5-1) overall.

GAME 2:

Cedar Crest and Clarks Summit were scoreless after two innings, but the Falcons broke the tie in the third inning, scoring twice. In the fourth inning, the Black and Yellow score three runs and in the top of the fifth inning, the Falcons tacked on four runs to put the game at its final score of 9-0 in five innings.

Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) had a two-hit performance in Game 2 with a run scored. Five Falcons had recorded a hit, with graduate student Nicole Santaniello (Kissimmee, Fl./Osceola) hitting a two-run home run in the forth inning. Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and sophomore Reilly Mateljan (Friedens, Pa./Somerset Area) each hit a double, with Heller scoring a run and Mateljan drove in two RBIs and scored one run herself. Sophomore Renee Snyder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) reached based in her only at bat and scored a run, as Danielle Krispin (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) hit a single that plated two runners.

"Nicole had the spark we needed in the second game," continued Begley.

Graduate student, Breanna Young (Easton, PA/Wilson Area), got the start in game 2, throwing for 4.0 innings, holding the Defenders scoreless and only gave up three hits. She struck out four of the 15 batters she faced. Young was replaced by freshman Corinne Mundy (Philadelphia, Pa./The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush) in the fifth inning, where she finished the game throwing 1.0 inning, striking out two of the three batters she faced. Young ultimately earned the victory, putting her at (4-1) this season.

"Our pitching staff did a great job of keeping the hitters off balance," concluded Begley.

The Falcons return to Blaschak Field for a CSAC doubleheader on Monday, April 24, when they host Notre Dame of Maryland University. First-pitch is set for 3:00 pm, and no visiting fans are permitted. 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!