GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Geneva College softball team wrapped up an impressive busy stretch on Tuesday afternoon, over which the Golden Tornadoes played five doubleheader in eight days while going 8-2, with a doubleheader sweep at Thiel, winning by scores of 6-4 and 7-3.  Geneva improved to 15-13 overall, 9-5 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
 
Sophomore Sophia Tvaroch got the start in the circle in game one again, and Geneva got on the board first in the top of the second when sophomore Madison Rapp scored on a Tomcat error.
 
Thiel answered in the bottom of the frame, though, scoring twice.  The damage could have been worse, but with the bases loaded and one out, senior Julia Hart snagged a line drive and stepped on first for a double play, getting the Golden Tornadoes out of the jam.
 
The Tomcats added one more run in the bottom of the third on a Geneva error.  Sophomore McKenzie Rapp relieved Tvaroch after the third inning and quieted Thiel offense, though, giving the Golden Tornadoes a chance to rally.
 
Geneva pulled even in the top of the fourth courtesy a two-out, two-run single from sophomore Kyra Wilcox.  The Golden Tornadoes then retook the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth.
 
Sophomore Lexi Zanic opened the inning with a walk, and she scored on Hart's RBI-triple.  Hart scampered home when the relay throw got away.  Junior Megan Gray followed with a double, and freshman Makenna Redfern, who pinch ran for Gray, came home to score the third run on an RBI-groundout from sophomore Justine Robbins.
 
Thiel wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh with a run, but Rapp closed out the victory to give Geneva the 6-4 win.
 
McKenzie Rapp earned the win with four innings of strong relief work.  Madison Rapp led the offense with two hits and two runs scored.
 
Graduate student Haley Smith got the start in the circle in game two, and she was strong early, just a day after a complete-game victory over first place Allegheny.  She retired the first seven Tomcats and held Thiel without a hit for the first four innings. 
 
Geneva's offense took a little while to get going, but the Golden Tornadoes finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning.  Senior Elishea Reed got the rally started with a leadoff single.  Robbins and freshman Alexa Forsythe followed with singles, with Forsythe's hit bringing home the first run.  Wilcox then doubled to drive home a second run.  After the first out of the inning was recorded, Zanic singled home Forsythe, and two batters later Hart brought in Geneva's fourth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.
 
Thiel answered in the bottom of the inning, though, stringing together its first three hits of the game to eventually score twice.  The Tomcats added a run in the sixth to pull within just one run, 4-3.
 
However, Geneva added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh with a two-out rally.  After the first two batters were retired, freshman Molly Shelley singled and stole both second and third base.  Zanic followed with an RBI-single, and after Hart singled to move Zanic to second, Gray singled to drive home Zanic.  Hart added a third run on a first-and-third double steal.
 
Smith retired the Tomcats in order in the bottom of the seventh to finish off another complete-game victory.  She gave up just four hits and one walk, giving up three runs, two earned, while striking out two.
 
The offense collected 11 hits in game two, led by Zanic's three hits and two RBIs.  Reed added a pair of hits in the win.
 
Geneva will now enjoy a couple of days off before a busy weekend that sees the Golden Tornadoes host Carlow for a doubleheader on Friday before traveling to Bethany on Saturday for two games.


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).