(vs. Arcadia) / (vs. Lebanon Valley) / (at Messiah)
Widener notched a 9-3 victory over Arcadia and a thrilling 6-5, eight-inning triumph over Lebanon Valley before a 10-4 loss to Messiah at the Commonwealth Conference Tournament in Grantham, PA.
Needing to win four elimination games today for the title, Widener (24-18) jumped to a 6-1 lead after two innings against Arcadia (27-11) and was never headed. Junior Steph Connolly (Aston, PA) hit an RBI double in the first inning and a three-run homer in the third.
Connolly ended the game 4-for-4 with four RBI. Sophomore Kelsey Shultz (Parker Ford, PA) allowed three runs and seven hits over seven innings with six strikeouts.
The Pride in the top of the eighth inning vs. the Dutchmen plated four runs for a 6-2 lead. Senior Katie Mitchell (Drexel Hill, PA) and sophomore Astyn DiNorsica (Parkesburg, PA) had RBI with junior Caitlin Callahan (Franklin Square, NY) getting a two-run single.
The Dutchmen (27-14) got within 6-5 on an RBI from Katie DeJulio and a two-run single from Kristen Uhas, but Kristen Palmerio grounded out to end it.
Belle Mead, NJ junior Kim Dougherty (11-8) allowed five runs – two earned – and 11 hits over eight innings for the Pride. Senior Rachel O'Leary (Coatesville, PA) had three hits, including the tying RBI single in the top of the seventh.
Widener advanced to the championship against Messiah, needing two more wins. Things looked real good in the first inning as the squad plated four runs, beginning with Connolly's two-out solo home run. Shultz and Mitchell also had RBI in the frame.
But the Falcons (35-4) scored four times in the third and fourth innings for a 9-4 lead en route to claiming the title.
Shultz (11-7) went 3-for-3 at the plate, but allowed six runs – two earned – and seven hits over three innings.
