BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College softball team finally got a chance to open Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play on Monday afternoon after a couple weeks of challenging weather. True to form, the Golden Tornadoes had to play through some light rain at times, but Geneva was able to get its doubleheader with Grove City in. Geneva took game one 9-3, with graduate student Sarah Johnson breaking the school's career runs scored record in the win. However, a late rally fell short in game two as the Wolverines picked up a split with a 12-9 victory. Geneva's record is now 6-10 overall, 1-1 in the PAC. Grove City is 7-7 overall, 1-1 in the PAC.
Senior Haley Smith took the ball in game one, and she continued her recent strong play with another good outing. Geneva gave her immediate support in the bottom of the first as junior Julia Hart drove a pitch over the centerfield wall for a two-run homer, driving in senior Madison Forsythe who had doubled right ahead of Hart.
Grove City pushed across a run in the top of the second to pull within one, but Geneva put up a big inning in the third to break the game open. Forsythe and Hart each delivered RBI-singles, and then the pair executed a double steal, with Forsythe stealing home. Freshman Madison Rapp later drove in Hart with a sacrifice fly for the final run of the inning.
The Wolverines answered with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth, with an error helping Grove City to one of those runs. Geneva added a run in the bottom of the inning, though, on senior Madison Smith's steal of home.
The Golden Tornadoes wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Lexi Zanic opened with a single, and she came around to score on a triple from Johnson. Johnson then came home on a fielder's choice from Forsythe, her 148th career run scored, breaking the prior mark set by Martha Adams in 2012. The record comes just three weeks after Johnson broke the school's career stolen bases record.
Smith closed out the game in the top of the seventh to earn her fifth win of the season. She gave up ten hits and three runs (two earned).
Forsythe, Hart and Zanic finished with two hits apiece, while the trio, along with Johnson, each scored two runs. Hart had three RBIs, including the home run, while Forsythe drove in a pair.
Freshman McKenzie Rapp got the start in the circle in game two, and the Wolverines got their offense going early. The first four batters reached base, including an error that opened the door for Grove City to plate four runs, three unearned.
The Wolverines continued their offensive outburst in the top of the second. The first four batters reached base again, knocking Rapp out of the game, and by the time Geneva finally got the third out, Grove City had increased its lead to 9-0.
Geneva got on the board in the bottom of the third. Zanic led off with a single, and later in the inning, Hart drove in one with a single and senior Peri Ceasri drove in another with a double. Junior Elishea Reed's sacrifice fly drove in a third run.
However, Grove City answered right back in the top of the fourth, adding three more runs to increase its lead back to nine, 12-3.
The Golden Tornadoes wouldn't go away, though. Geneva scored four times in the bottom of the fourth, all with two outs. Hart drove in two runs with a double, and three batters later Madison Rapp delivered a bases-loaded single to drive in two more runs.
The offenses finally slowed down over the next three innings, with freshman Liv Keller providing Geneva with some much-needed relief.
The Golden Tornadoes tried to rally one last time in the bottom of the seventh, again with two outs. Forsythe and Hart delivered RBI-singles, bringing Ceasri to the plate, representing the potential tying run. However, Ceasri was retired to end Geneva's comeback attempt.
The offense was the star of the game again for the Golden Tornadoes, particularly the top of the lineup. Hart finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and four RBIs. Forsythe added three hits, two runs and an RBI, while Johnson contributed two hits and three runs. Geneva and Grove City both finished with 14 hits. Keller gave the Golden Tornadoes a chance for the comeback by pitching 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, giving up just two hits.
The women will continue a busy week of conference play when they travel to Allegheny on Wednesday for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
