ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College softball team secured a sweep over Gallaudet University, picking up a pair of wins to begin conference play on Saturday at Cynthia L. Blaschak Field. In the first game, the Falcons triumphed with a score of 7-6 in extra innings, while in the second game, they dominated with a decisive 16-3 win.

Game One – Cedar Crest 7, Gallaudet 6 (Nine Innings)

Cedar Crest opened the scoring in the first inning with first-year Kylie Mastillo's (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) single to right field that drove in sophomore Kate Gronkowski (Hanover Township, Pa./Hanover Area Junior Senior), cutting the Bison early lead to 2-1. The Falcons showed resilience, leaving two runners stranded by the end of the inning. In the fourth inning, they narrowed the gap as first-year Jane Armbruster (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua), who pinch-ran for junior Taylor Faw (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie), scored on a groundout by junior Natalie Hasert (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township), making it a 4-2 game.

The seventh inning was pivotal for Cedar Crest, as Gronkowski scored on senior Alexis Kline's (Allentown, Pa./Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter) triple to center field, followed by Mastillo's sacrifice fly that brought Kline home, closing the score to 6-5.

The Falcons secured the win in the ninth inning when junior Laney Ferraro (Philadelphia, Pa./New Foundations Charter) doubled to center field, driving in Hasert and Gronkowski for the tying and winning runs.

Gronkowski stood out with three runs scored. Ferraro contributed two hits and two RBI. Kline had a strong showing with a triple, scoring once and driving in a run. Mastillo also made an impact with two RBI and a stolen base.

In the circle, first-year Erin Gray (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) pitched a complete game over nine innings, striking out six while allowing two earned runs.

Junior Lacey Drolsbaugh (Lansdale, Pa.) of Gallaudet completed the game, pitching eight innings with 12 hits and seven runs, striking out four and walking three.

Junior Lou Cherena (El Paso, Texas) led the Bison with three hits, three runs, and two stolen bases. Sophomore Olivia Taufu'I (Blackfoot, Ida.) contributed three hits and two RBI. Sophomore Andi Sisemore (Arlington, Texas) had three hits, including a double.

Game Two – Cedar Crest 16, Gallaudet 3 (Five Innings)

In the second game, Cedar Crest came out strong, overcoming a two-run start from Gallaudet in the first inning. After falling behind 2-0, the Falcons responded with three runs, with Ferraro scoring on a wild pitch, followed by Kline and Mastillo, giving the Falcons a 3-2 lead.

They expanded their lead with a four-run second inning, highlighted by Hasert scoring on a fielding error and RBI from Mastillo, first-year Abby Adams (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland), and sophomore Brooke Trentler (Whiteford, Md./North Harford), bringing the score to 7-2.
 
The Falcons continued their scoring streak in the third inning with three more runs, including Kline's two-run homer, widening the lead to 10-3. They sealed their commanding performance in the fourth inning with six additional runs, highlighted by Gronkowski's three-RBI triple, extending the lead to 16-3.

Gronkowski led the Falcons with two hits, three RBI, and a triple. Kline delivered a strong showing with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored. Mastillo added three runs and three RBI.

First-year Alexis Acevedo (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) pitched a complete game in the victory for Cedar Crest, allowing seven hits and two earned runs over five innings while striking out five batters.

Cedar Crest (10-12 overall) will begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday, April 2 with a doubleheader at the University of Valley Forge starting at 4:00 p.m. Gallaudet (3-17 overall, 0-2 United East) next hosts Rosemont College in a conference twinbill on Wednesday beginning at 3:00 p.m.