CLERMONT, Fla. – It was a tough day in Florida for the Geneva College softball team on Thursday morning, with the Golden Tornadoes dropping both games on the day.  Geneva lost to Haverford, 7-1, in the first game of the day, and then the Golden Tornadoes lost in the bottom of the seventh to Roger Williams, 6-5, in the second game of the day.  Geneva's record now stands at 3-5 on the season.

Freshman Haley Smith (Joshua Tree, Cali./Yucca Valley) got the start in the first game against Haverford, and two-out home runs plagued Smith in the game.  Haverford got on the board in the top of the third when, with two outs and a runner of first, Haverford's Ashley Sisto homered to give the Fords a 2-0 lead.

Geneva got on the board in the bottom of the third.  Sophomore Kyleigh Jo Ward (Laceyville, Pa./Wyalusing Valley) opened the inning with a triple.  She later came around to score on a single from sophomore Madison Smith (Joshua Tree, Cali./Yucca Valley), but Geneva left the bases loaded at the end of the inning.

Haverford struck again in the top of the sixth when, with a runner on first and two outs, Haverford's Abby Marquis sent one over the fence to give the Fords a 4-1 lead.  Haverford then put the game away in the top of the seventh.  Haley Smith retired the first two batters of the inning, but back-to-back singles preceded another home run from Sisto to put the game away for the Fords, and Haverford finished out the game with a 7-1 victory.

Haley Smith had her first rough outing of the spring, pitching all seven innings but giving up eight hits and seven runs, all on home runs.  Madison Smith led the offense with a 2-for-3 effort, including Geneva's lone run batted in, as the Golden Tornadoes managed just five hits.

The second game of the day against Roger Williams got off to a better start when junior Marina Manuppelli (Mars, Pa./Mars) hit a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning to give Geneva an early 2-0 lead.

Roger Williams tied things up in the bottom of the third off senior starting pitcher Bobbi Ann Theiss (East Liverpool/Beaver Local), with both runs scoring on a two-out single.

The Golden Tornadoes retook the lead in the top of the fifth with two outs.  Sophomore Sarah Johnson (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista) singled and stole second base, and she came around to score on a single by Madison Smith, giving Geneva the lead back 3-2.

However, a Geneva error in the bottom of the inning proved critical, with Roger Williams scoring three unearned runs after two were out to give the Hawks a 5-3 lead.

The Golden Tornadoes would rally in the top of the seventh, though.  Helped by a Roger Williams error, Geneva loaded the bases with two outs, and Manuppelli drove in two with a single to tie the score, 5-5.  The Golden Tornadoes had an opportunity for more, but they left runners at second and third, which would prove costly in the bottom of the inning.

Roger Williams loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh against Theiss, and a sacrifice fly to center plated the winning run, 6-5.

Theiss pitched the complete game, going 6.1 innings while giving up 11 hits and six runs, three of which were earned.  Manuppelli supplied most of the offense, going 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs.  Madison Smith continued to play well also, going 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Johnson finished 2-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base.  Junior Madison Schultz (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) also picked up two hits in the game.

"We didn't do enough today in either game to expect to be able to win a college softball game," said Head Coach Van Zanic.  "Good teams find ways to win and to take advantage of mistakes by other teams.  We are not that team right now."

Geneva will get right back into action tomorrow with two more games.  The Golden Tornadoes play Bridgewater State at 1:45 p.m. followed by a game with Rhodes at 4:15 p.m.


Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 145 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. Geneva is included on Kiplinger's Personal Finance's "2019 Best College Values" list and has one of the top undergraduate engineering programs in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God's Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today's world.