ROSEMONT, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College Softball team defeated Cairn University (2-8, 0-2 CSAC) in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) doubleheader on Tuesday evening. The Falcons (5-1, 5-1 CSAC) took game 1, 10-2, in five innings, then managed to claim game 2 by a score of 6-5.

"I am really happy with the results we got today, but we cannot be satisfied," commented Head Coach Kim Begley. "We started out really strong, but we have to learn how to finish just as strong as we start."

GAME 1: Cedar Crest would find them self behind right off the bat, as Cairn scored twice in the first inning, but those would be the only runs the Highlanders would record in the game. The Falcons struck back with four runs of their own in the first, then four more in the second inning, putting the score at 8-2 through two innings. Two more runs were added in the third inning, which concluded scoring by both squads in the game, as Cedar Crest claimed the 10-2 victory in just five innings.

Seven Falcons combined for nine hits and six of those Falcons recorded RBIs. Senior Riley Tremblay (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and junior Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) each had two-hit performances. VanBuskirk went 2-for-3, drove in an RBI, scored twice, and had a double. Tremblay also hit a double, to go along with an RBI, a stolen base and scored a run. Five members of the Black and Yellow reached on a base hit, with graduate student Dallas Horning (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) contributing two runs batted in. Seniors Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and Patricia Dalton (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) each drove in a run and scored a run, as graduate student Nicole Santaniello (Kissimmee, Fl./Osceola) plated a runner and scored twice in the victory. Sophomore Renee Snyder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) also crossed the plate for a run scored and recorded an RBI.

Graduate student, Breanna Young (Easton, PA/Wilson Area) got the start in game 1. She threw 5.0 innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits, and faced 24 batters. Young earned her first victory of the 2021 season, evening her record to (1-1).

GAME 2: Similar to game 1, Cedar Crest found them trailing after the first half-inning of the game. Cairn would get one run across the plate in the first to take a 1-0 lead but would add another run in their half of the second inning, putting the Falcons behind 2-0, heading into the bottom of the second inning. Cedar Crest would take the lead for good in the bottom of the second inning, when they scored four runs to take a 4-2 lead. After a scoreless third inning, both the Highlanders and Falcons scored a run in the fourth, increasing the score to 5-3. The Black and Yellow would add an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning, which would be crucial in the game. Cairn plated two runs in the top of the sixth inning, which added pressure to the Falcons heading into the top of the seventh. Cairn had the game-tying and game-winning runs on base, but the Falcons would close out the game and were able to hold on for the 6-5 win.

Eight Falcons recorded a hit in game 2, but Cedar Crest was led by the efforts of junior Rachel Savini (Wilmington, DE/Delaware Military Academy), who posted a 3-for-3 performance. Savini had a double and scored twice, as Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) went 2-for-4 with a double. Sophomore Renee Snyder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) had a single in the game and drove in three of Cedar Crest's six runs in the game. Two RBIs came from graduate Dallas Horning (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty), who was one of six Falcons to record a base hit. Senior Riley Tremblay (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) hit a double to drive in a run and scored one of her own as well.

Junior Skyler Bilous (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) started in the circle for game 2, where she threw a complete game and faced 39 batters. Bilous allowed five runs, four earned, on 17 hits, two strikeouts and walked just one. Bilous earned the win in this decision, improving to (3-0) this season.

""We are getting stronger every day and I am proud of this team," concluded Begley.

Cedar Crest is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, April 10 when the host Wilson College in a rematch of the 2019 CSAC Championship game. First-pitch is slated for 12:00 pm. 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!