On Friday, the Yellow Jacket softball team split its doubleheader with Franciscan University, winning the first in five innings and dropping the second.

Junior pitcher Courtney Messenger led the way for the Jackets in game one, throwing five innings and giving up no runs on just four hits.

Head coach Richele Hall was satisfied with the performance of Messenger and the offense in the first game.

“[Messenger] pitched a really good game in game one,” said Hall. “Only two of the four hits she gave up were solid hits. She gave us the opportunity to win and we ended up being able to pull through with our bats. [Messenger] had good composure on the mound and managed the game very well.”
Messenger added five strikeouts and allowed just one walk.

Offensively, the Jackets had nine hits coming from six different batters, including freshman Tara Staley and sophomore Rachel Skon who each went 2-for-2.  Sophomore Courtney Syfert added one hit and obtained two walks, contributing three of the Yellow Jackets’ eight runs.

“[Courtney] Syfert is a catalyst for our offense, [if] she gets on base we’re most likely going to score runs for sure,” said Hall.  “She led off the game with a triple which was huge. That definitely sparked us right from the beginning.”

The Jackets went on to win the first game of the doubleheader in five innings by a score of 8-0.

In game two, Hall started freshman pitcher Emma Kubalak who went just two innings, allowing six hits and four runs. Previously, Kubalak had some experience this season coming on in relief.

“[Emma] pitched really well, when we played Carlow the other day she came in on relief and did well,” said Hall.  “She just didn’t start the game as strong today and that put us in an early deficient.”

Kubalak was relieved by freshman Miranda Bowers.  She entered in the third inning and allowed five more hits but gave up no runs, giving the Jackets hope as the game progressed.

“[Miranda] came in and shut them down, they didn’t get anything after she came in,” said Hall.  “My two freshmen are working as a duo and they understand that, so one will get the start and the other will come in to relieve. It is [about] finding that combo with who is a better starter versus a relief pitcher. Overall, they have done a very good job.”

The Jackets did produce offensively with eight hits but struggled to bat more than two runs across the plate.

Skon added a hit and RBI as a designated hitter in the sixth inning.  Sophomore catcher Ashley Dubovich went 2-for-3 and scored once in the 4-2 defeat of the Jackets.

“Bringing in [Skon] as a pinch hitter and seeing her get a pinch-hit RBI, that was a good thing,” said Hall.  “We didn’t find our bats very well in the second game, but I think we still mustered eight hits.  I’m not disappointed in the effort in the second game, I just wish we could’ve gotten a few more hits.”

Hall believes that these early season nonconference games are important for moving girls around to find a winning strategy prior to the start of Presidents’ Athletic Conference play begins next week.

“[By] having a roster of 19 very talented athletes I am trying to move things around and give as many girls’ opportunities as possible,” said Hall.  “[We] are also trying to find the winning combination to get ready for PAC play, but also trying to see what some other kids can do so they are ready if I need to call on them in conference games.”

The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to play Point Park University in a doubleheader this Wednesday in Pittsburgh. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.