BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College softball team entered its doubleheader on Monday afternoon against first place Allegheny wanting to win at least one game to help its conference standing, and the Golden Tornadoes almost got both games, losing the first game 4-2 before rebounding for a 4-1 victory in game two. Geneva's record now stands at 13-13 overall, 7-5 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), while Allegheny's record is now 19-5 overall, 10-2 in the PAC.
Allegheny came into the game on an eight-game winning streak and in first place in the conference by three games. The Gators also started one of the top pitchers in the conference in game one, Aleya Belardinelli, who was coming off a no-hitter against Thiel over the weekend. Geneva countered with sophomore Sophia Tvaroch, who was coming off a complete-game shutout of Waynesburg over the weekend, and the duo matched each other, pitch-for-pitch, for much of the game.
Neither team could generate any offense through the first six innings. Allegheny was the first team to get a runner to third base in the top of the sixth, but Tvaroch got the final out to keep the game scoreless.
The Gators broke through in the top of the seventh, though. Allegheny opened the inning with an infield single, and then a throwing error on an attempted sacrifice bunt seemed to open the flood gates. The Gators would score four times in the inning, with sophomore Alena Campbell relieving Tvaroch while keeping the damage from being worse.
Geneva didn't give in, though. The Golden Tornadoes struck for two runs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI-double from sophomore Madison Rapp. Sophomore Lexi Zanic was hit by the next pitch to bring the winning run to the plate, but a ground ball ended the comeback attempt, 4-2.
Graduate student Haley Smith got the start in the circle in game two, and she put together her best start of the season, keeping the powerful Allegheny lineup quiet for most of the game, and the Golden Tornado offense gave her some big early run support.
Freshman Molly Shelley opened the bottom of the first with a single. She stole second, and Zanic drove her home with an RBI-single. Junior Megan Gray followed with a walk, and senior Julia Hart loaded the bases with a single. Senior Elishea Reed drove home Geneva's second run with a single, and after an out was recorded, Rapp singled home Gray. Sophomore Alex Guzman wrapped up the scoring with a sacrifice fly to give Smith a quick 4-0 lead.
Allegheny starter Samantha Dzierba settled down after her rough first inning, but the offensive support proved to be more than enough for Smith. At one point Smith retired 11 straight Gators, including in the fourth inning when she needed just three pitches to retire the three hitters. Allegheny did manage to scratch one run across in the sixth, but Smith retired the Gators in order in the top of the seventh to finish off the 4-1 victory.
Smith earned her fourth win of the year with her first complete-game effort of the season, giving up just four hits and one run, without a walk, while striking out seven Gators.
Hart led the offense in the second game with two of Geneva's seven hits.
The Golden Tornadoes finish off their challenging stretch of three doubleheaders in four days with a doubleheader at Thiel tomorrow. First pitch is at 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).
