GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Stevenson softball team managed a combined six hits versus first place Messiah as the Mustangs were shutout, 1-0 and 8-0, in a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Starry Athletic Complex.
The Mustangs (12-20, 6-8 MAC Commonwealth) have been shutout five times this season and fall to 2-6 versus Messiah since the start of the 2013 season with three shutouts. Both wins for Stevenson came in the 2013 season.
After Stevenson was retired in order in the first inning, the Falcons (32-3, 14-0 MAC Commonwealth) threatened to take a first inning lead with runners on first and second and just one out. But the visitors turned a double play on a fly out to right field.
Senior Emily Soller hit a leadoff single to start the second inning before classmate Molly Hoyt advanced her to third with a double. The Mustangs would load the bases with two outs on a walk by sophomore Kate Finnen but all three runners were left stranded.
The hosts got on the board in the third inning with a two-out RBI single up the middle for the lone score of the day. It was the 69th two-out RBI the Mustangs have allowed this season as opponents entered the day hitting .352 with two outs.
Stevenson recorded its third and final hit of the day on a two-out single by sophomore Jasmyn Ogletree. In the pitching circle, Ogletree scattered six hits with one strikeout. Meanwhile, Hoyt extended her hitting streak to seven.
In addition to recording the game-winning RBI, Allen improved to 17-0 with the shutout while recording six strikeouts.
The Dutchmen bats came alive in the second game as the hosts totaled 10 hits while scoring in the first four innings. The Mustangs were held to just three hits, including a hit by Soller who has hit in 24 of her 30 games, including seven of her last eight.
Senior Kristen Mueller, who recorded a hit, has hit successfully in six of her last seven games.
Stevenson returns to action on Sunday, April 24 when the Mustangs host a non-conference doubleheader versus Catholic beginning at 1:00 p.m.
