ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College softball team had an impressive doubleheader against Centenary University, dominating the first game with a decisive 12-0 victory before edging the Cyclones in a tightly contested second game, winning 5-4 on Monday at Cynthia L. Blaschak Field.

Game One – Cedar Crest 12, Centenary 0 (Five Innings)

In the first game, the Falcons' offense surged in the second inning, scoring eight runs and extending its lead with three more in the third.

Cedar Crest initiated the scoring in the first inning when sophomore Madison Nadasi (Bushkill, Pa./East Stroudsburg North) crossed home plate on an error by the third baseman, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

Cedar Crest extended its lead significantly in the second inning. Sophomore Abby Adams (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) scored on a passed ball, and junior Kate Gronkowski (Hanover Township, Pa./Hanover Area Junior Senior) added another run, both unearned. Senior Natalie Hasert (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) followed with an RBI single, bringing in Gronkowski. Sophomore Kaitlyn Stock (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh) scored on a throw, and additional RBI's from sophomore Kylie Mastillo (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) and senior Laney Ferraro (Philadelphia, Pa./New Foundations Charter) helped the Falcons accumulate eight runs in the inning. The score stood at 9-0 after two innings.

Continuing its offensive momentum in the third inning, Cedar Crest saw Hasert score on a single by Mastillo, followed by Ferraro's RBI double that brought in Nadasi. Adams then singled to score Mastillo, pushing the Falcons' lead to 12-0 at the end of the third inning.

Centenary was unable to overcome the early deficit, and the game concluded with Cedar Crest maintaining a shutout.

Nadasi led the offense for the Falcons with three runs scored and three hits. Adams contributed significantly with two runs, three hits, and two RBI, including a double. Ferraro posted two RBI, hitting a double and a triple in the game. Sophomore Alexis Acevedo (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) completed the game with a five-inning shutout, allowing three hits and striking out two batters.

Game Two – Cedar Crest 5, Centenary 4

In the second game, Cedar Crest faced a tougher challenge but secured victory with a dramatic three-run seventh inning. The Cyclones took an early lead in the second inning, scoring two runs when first-year Holly Casaliggi (Woodbridge, N.J.) tripled, and senior D'Ani Morales (Passaic, N.J.) followed with a triple of her own, bringing in Casaliggi. Another run was added when Morales scored on an error, giving Centenary a 2-0 lead after the second inning.

Both teams added to their scores in the fourth inning. The Cyclones extended its lead when First-year Kayla Melsky (Phillipsburg, N.J.) scored on a sacrifice fly. The Falcons responded with Mastillo doubling and sophomore Emily Christopher (Palmerton, Pa./Palmerton Area) driving in Mastillo with a triple, making the score 3-1 in favor of Centenary.

In the sixth inning, each team scored once; first-year Anna Cunningham (Staten Island, N.Y.) scored for the Cyclones on a single by first-year Julia Sorrentino (Staten Island, N.Y.), and Mastillo hit a solo home run for Cedar Crest, narrowing the gap to 4-2. The Falcons mounted a comeback in the seventh inning, with first-year Madacyn Snyder (Wind Gap, Pa./Pen Argyl) tripling and scoring on a single by Gronkowski. Hasert's single brought in Gronkowski, tying the game. Adams scored the winning run on an error, securing a 5-4 victory for Cedar Crest.

Mastillo showcased a strong performance, hitting a double and a home run, driving in one run and scoring twice. Christopher contributed with two hits, including a triple, and added one RBI. Sophomore Erin Gray (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and striking out two batters over seven innings, earning the win.

For the Cyclones, sophomore Sierra Stultz (Pennsville, N.J.) pitched six and two-thirds innings, surrendering five runs on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one.

Cedar Crest (9-7 overall) jumps back into conference action with a road doubleheader at Penn State Berks on Wednesday, April 1 starting at 1:00 p.m. Centenary (3-15 overall) will next host Drew University in a non-conference twinbill on Wednesday beginning at 3:00 p.m.