Henchinski Hits for Career No. 150 as Knights Open Commonwealth Play

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 READING, PA: Arcadia University Softball opened up their 2012 Commonwealth Conference slate this afternoon and senior Lindsay Henchinski had herself a day, going 5 for 8 while registering her 150th career hit but the Knights were swept in the doubleheader by host Alvernia University, with a 4-9 loss in the opener and 2-7 defeat in the nightcap.

Despite dropping both games by five runs, the Knights held leads in both contests.

After the Crusaders took a 3-0 lead after two, the Knights mounted their comeback when Jess Wood '14 knocked a third inning, game-tying three run homer out of the park while Henchinski, driving in Amy Johnson on an RBI single in the fourth, highlighted the Knight's offense in the opening tilt.

A double and single for runs followed by a third score on a fielder's choice in the bottom of five allowed Alvernia to regain the lead 6-4. The Knights were held hitless in top of the sixth frame while a two-run single up the middle and RBI single through Arcadia's right defensive side stretched the Crusader lead to 9-4.

Arcadia strategized another comeback in top of the seventh, getting right to work when Johson was delivered ball four to lead off the inning. Amanda Tomasheck '14 was caught looking at strike three for the Knights first out of the frame but the urgency of Henchinski at the dish got the ball rolling when she dropped a single into the left center gap putting Johnson in scoring position. Johnson and Henchinski would advance, but on a ground out, before the Knights poped up to end the inning and the game.

Wood tossed two strikeouts in the game one start, going three frames, charged with 3 runs on 4 Alvernia hits. Heather Buriak '14 entered in the fourth, charged with 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks taking the game one loss in relief.  Henchinski finished 3 for 4 in the opener.

In game two, Brandee Zablotsky '13 connected for a solo home-run in the first inning sending the Knights out to an early 1-0 advantage while game two starter Kelsey Roberts '12 continued the squad's momentum in the home half, pitching a pop-up and strikeout to end the frame after Alvernia placed a runner on second.

Arcadia stranded a pair on the bags in the top of two while the Crusaders put themselves on the board, tying the game at 1-all on a SAC-fly RBI.

But again, finding a way back to the top, Arcadia tacked one on in the top of the third to go ahead 2-1. And it was Henchinski with a lead-off double to center that got things moving. Wood singled through the right side with two outs away, scoring Henchinksi lifting the Knights out to a 3-1 advantage but again, Arcadia left two runners on to end the inning as the Crusaders came up for their most productive frame of the afternoon.

Down by two, Alvernia used a two-run double to knot the score at 3-3, and a two-run triple to go ahead 6-3 with two more one-run singles to follow for a six run frame and the 7-2 lead with neither team scoring again.

Roberts worked her way through the complete game, charged with 6 earned runs on 7 hits, walking 7 while striking out 5. Henchinski, Woods and Zablotsky each chipped in with two hits in the game two loss.

Arcadia stands at 10-8 overall (0-2 C'wealth) while Alvernia improves to 16-2 (2-0 C'wealth).

The Knights look to even their league record this Saturday at home, hosting the Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley College in doubleheader action at 1 p.m. on Blankley Field.

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