CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College softball team secured a sweep of Clarks Summit University on Thursday afternoon, winning by scores of 11-4 and 14-5, in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action.

Game One – Cedar Crest 11, Clarks Summit 4

The Falcons jumped on the scoreboard with three runs in the top of the first. Graduate student Ashley Heller (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) scored on an error to open the scoring. Senior Brianna Lankford (Hanover, Pa./South Western Senior) connected on a sacrifice fly to center field, which was deep enough to score classmate Reilly Mateljan (Friedens, Pa./Somerset Area). Senior Renee Snyder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) closed the offense in the frame when she crossed home on an error for the 3-0 score.

Cedar Crest added one in the second when Snyder singled to the pitcher, bringing around junior Kristina Cagle (Pittsgrove, N.J./Arthur P. Schalick) to stretch the lead to 4-0.

Clarks Summit rallied for three runs in the home half of the second. Junior Davi Ort (Granville, Pa.) drew a base-loaded walk to plate junior Mia McCormick (Philadelphia, Pa.). Junior Rebecca Serfass (Lehighton, Pa.) singled in sophomore Julianna Baker (Freeland, Pa.) while Ort came around to score on an error to cut the margin to one, 4-3.

The Falcons tacked on six total runs over the next two frames to increase the lead to 10-3.
In the fourth, graduate student Delaney VanBuskirk (Bridgeville, Del./Woodbridge) delivered a two-run single to center, plating Lankford and Mateljan. Graduate student Rachel Savini (Wilmington, Del./Delaware Military Academy) got in on the offense with a single to second base to score VanBuskirk.

The fifth inning scoring started with a double to center field from Snyder, which brought around sophomore Anaya Duncan (Baltimore, Md./Franklin). First-year Natalie Hasert (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) grounded out the pitcher, scoring Heller, while Lankford sent Snyder home with a double to right field.

The Lady Defenders got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when senior Katlyn McLeod (Harrisburg, Pa.) tripled down the left field line. The three-bagger scored junior Ashley Velasquez (Chandler, Ariz.).

Cedar Crest put one final tally up in the seventh as Savini hit an RBI double to center field, plating VanBuskirk for the 11-4 score.

Junior Corinne Mundy (Philadelphia, Pa./The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush) picked up her ninth win in the circle after a complete-game victory where she allowed nine hits over seven innings while striking out four.

First-year Maddison Atkins (Madisonville, Tenn.) was given the loss for Clarks Summit. She surrendered 11 runs on eight hits while fanning six and walking eight.

Savini finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Snyder was 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.

McLeod paced the Lady Defenders, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Game Two – Cedar Crest 14, Clarks Summit 5

Cedar Crest scored in every inning of game two, starting with a pair of runs in the first frame. Heller plated the opening tally on a single by Snyder. Hasert then connected on a sacrifice fly to right field, sending home Mateljan.

The Falcons registered three more tallies in the second. First-year Laney Ferraro (Philadelphia, Pa./New Foundations Charter) and sophomore Alexis Kline (Allentown, Pa./Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter) crossed home on a pop-up to the catcher. Hasert followed with an RBI groundout to the shortstop, allowing Mateljan to score for the 5-0 advantage.

Cedar Crest increased its lead in the third when Kline crossed home on an error to make the score 6-0.

Clarks Summit cut into the deficit in the home half of the third when Atkins delivered a two-run triple to center field, scoring Serfass and Ort.

The Falcons got one back in the fourth, but was answered with three in the bottom of the frame to make the score 7-5.

Cedar Crest went onto outscore the Lady Defenders 7-0 over the final three frames.

The Falcons tallied two in the fifth. Kline scored on a throw while Snyder singled to second base, which helped plate Heller for the 9-5 advantage.

Cedar Crest pushed one across in the sixth as Kline would cross home again, this time on a double by Heller.

The Falcons added four in the last inning. VanBuskirk recorded a two-run single to center field, scoring Hasert and Snyder. Later in the frame, Savini tripled to right field, bringing in VanBuskirk and Duncan for the 14-5 final.

Mundy was victorious once again in the circle for Cedar Crest, registering four strikeouts. First-year Haley Brag (Millville, N.J.) was credited with the loss, giving up 14 runs on 12 hits.

Kline went a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs scored. Mateljan and Snyder each finished with multi-hit efforts for the Falcons.

Atkins led Clarks Summit, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Cedar Crest (10-12 overall, 7-1 CSAC) will return home to host Cairn University on Saturday, April 15 in a conference doubleheader starting at noon for Senior Day. Clarks Summit (6-14 overall, 0-4 CSAC) will travel to Notre Dame of Maryland University for a conference twin bill on Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m. for its next contest.

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