LITTLE RIVER, S.C. — The Cedar Crest College softball team dropped a pair of games to open the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, falling to Penn State Altoona with a final score of 16-5 in the first game and later succumbing to Penn State Schuylkill with a score of 7-1.

Game One – Penn State Altoona 16, Cedar Crest 5 (5 innings)

In the first game against Penn State Altoona, the Falcons started strong with a three-run first inning. Sophomore Kaitlyn Stock (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh) walked and classmate Kylie Mastillo (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) singled, advancing Stock to second. Senior Laney Ferraro (Philadelphia, Pa./New Foundations Charter) grounded out, but sophomore Abby Adams (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) capitalized with a single up the middle, driving in both Stock and Mastillo. Sophomore Madison Nadasi (Bushkill, Pa./East Stroudsburg North) reached on a fielding error, allowing Adams to score. However, the Cedar Crest could not maintain their momentum, managing only two more runs over the next four innings. Penn State Altoona responded with consistent offensive displays, scoring in every inning and showcasing a five-run fourth inning, ending the game at 16-5.

In the fourth inning, Nadasi hit a triple to right field and later scored on a single by first-year Madacyn Snyder (Wind Gap, Pa./Pen Argyl), narrowing the score to 13-4. The fifth inning saw the Falcons continue to battle, as Mastillo singled and stole second, with Adams then singling up the middle to bring Mastillo home. Despite their efforts, the Falcons could not overcome the deficit.

Mastillo recorded two hits, scored two runs, and stole a base, while Adams delivered a strong performance with two hits and three RBI. Nadasi tripled, scored once, and added a stolen base to her efforts. Stock reached base twice, scoring one run and drawing a walk.

Sophomore Erin Gray (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) pitched 2 and two-thirds innings for the Cedar Crest, allowing eight runs on eight hits with six walks and one strikeout, charged with the loss. Sophomore Alexis Acevedo (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) contributed two and one-third innings in relief, surrendering eight runs on six hits, also issuing six walks while striking out two.

Sophomore Madison Kennedy (Williamsburg, Pa.) of Penn State Altoona pitched a complete game, earning the win with five innings of work, giving up five runs on eight hits, walking one, and striking out five.

Game Two – Penn State Schuylkill 7, Cedar Crest 1

Penn State Schuylkill seized an early lead in the second inning with two runs, as junior Jade Weiss (Pottsville, Pa.) singled to drive in sophomore Chloe Heckman (Bethel, Pa.) and senior Mackenzie Carl (Tower City, Pa.). They then extended their lead in the fourth inning with three more runs, highlighted by sophomore Aryanna Bodge's (Pottstown, Pa.) two-run homer. The Falcons responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Adams singled to right field to score Ferraro, ending that inning with a score of 5-1.

The fifth inning saw Penn State Schuylkill add an unearned run, and in the sixth inning, the score increased to 7-1 after a run scored on a wild pitch. Cedar Crest managed two hits in the bottom of the sixth but could not capitalize.

Ferraro led the Falcons with two hits and scored one run, achieving a 1.333 OPS, while Adams also contributed two hits and drove in one run, posting a similar OPS. Acevedo pitched three innings, allowing three hits and striking out one batter, with a WHIP of 1.67.

Bodge's complete game performance for Penn State Schuylkill was pivotal, as she pitched all seven innings, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out eight and walking one.

For the Falcons, Gray pitched four innings, giving up five earned runs on nine hits and two walks, also charged with the loss. Acevedo contributed three innings of relief, allowing one earned run on three hits, with one strikeout and two walks.

Cedar Crest (2-2 overall) will have a quick turnaround as the Falcons face SUNY Canton at 9:00 a.m. and Vermont State University Castleton at 11:00 a.m. at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.