ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College softball picked up a pair of decisive victories over the University of Valley Forge in a United East Conference doubleheader at Cynthia L. Blaschak Field. The first game ended with a score of 12-2 after five innings, while the second game saw the Falcons dominate with a 16-4 win.

Game One – Cedar Crest 12, Valley Forge 2 (Five Innings)

The Falcons tallied 14 hits and 11 RBI in the opener, highlighted by a home run. Cedar Crest started strong, scoring five runs in the first inning on five hits. Sophomore Kate Gronkowski (Hanover Township, Pa./Hanover Area Junior Senior) advanced to third on a double by junior Laney Ferraro (Philadelphia, Pa./New Foundations Charter) and scored on a wild pitch. Senior Alexis Kline's (Allentown, Pa./Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter) walk and subsequent steal set up first-year Kylie Mastillo's (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) RBI single. Senior Alex Mullen's (Prospect Park, Pa./Interboro) triple to left field brought in two more runs, followed by junior Taylor Faw's (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie) single down the line to cap the inning's scoring.

In the second inning, the Falcons maintained their momentum, scoring two more runs. Junior Natalie Hasert (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) singled and stole second, then advanced to third on the throw, driven in by Gronkowski's single. Kline's subsequent single allowed Gronkowski to steal second and score on a throw, bringing the score to 7-0.

Cedar Crest continued to extend their lead in the third inning with a two-run homer by Trentler, driving in Faw, who had doubled earlier. This made it 9-0, while the Patriots were held scoreless through four innings.

The Falcons closed out their scoring in the fifth inning with three runs. Mullen's single and subsequent run on Faw's RBI single were followed by a two-RBI triple by Ferraro, bringing the score to 12-0. Valley Forge managed to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but Cedar Crest secured a 12-2 victory.

Ferraro made a significant impact, recording two hits and driving in two runs, including a triple. Mullen contributed with a triple and two RBI, while Trentler delivered a home run for two RBI. Faw led the team with three hits and two RBI. In the circle, senior BB Aquila (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) pitched a complete game, striking out four and allowing only two earned runs over five innings.

Game Two – Cedar Crest 16, Valley Forge 4 (Five Innings)

In the second game, Cedar Crest amassed 12 hits, including four triples, capitalizing on six errors committed by the Patriots. The Falcons began by scoring one run in the first inning when Hasert walked and advanced to third on wild pitches before scoring. Valley Forge responded with two runs, taking a 2-1 lead.

The offense surged in the second inning, scoring eight runs. Mullen reached base on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch. Ferraro tripled to left field, driving in three runs, and Mastillo followed with a triple for another RBI, finishing the inning with a commanding 9-2 lead.

The Falcons added another run in the fourth inning when first-year Madison Nadasi (Bushkill, Pa./East Stroudsburg North) tripled and was brought home by a sacrifice fly from Mullen, extending the lead to 10-4. In the fifth inning, Cedar Crest capitalized on several errors from the Patriots, scoring six unearned runs. Mastillo hit a triple, driving in three runs, and then scored on a throwing error, closing the inning with a 16-4 lead, which remained unchanged as the Patriots were unable to score in their final at-bat.

Mastillo led the Cedar Crest with an impressive offensive display, recording two triples and four RBI. Ferraro showcased her power with a double and a triple, driving in three runs. Kline also contributed significantly with two hits, two RBI, and two runs. In the circle, first-year Erin Gray (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) pitched three innings allowing four earned runs, while classmate Alexis Acevedo (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) pitched two innings in relief, striking out three batters.

Cedar Crest (12-12 overall, 4-0 United East) will next face Lancaster Bible College in a league twinbill on the road on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m. The University of Valley Forge (3-19 overall, 0-4 United East) hosts Penn State Berks for a conference doubleheader on Saturday at noon.