GLENSIDE, Pa. – The Arcadia University softball team split a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader with visiting Lycoming College Saturday afternoon at Blankley Field. The Knights first shut out the Warriors in a six-inning mercy-rule shortened game-one, 8-0, behind a dominant pitching performance from junior Erin Wilson and a walk-off triple from classmate Nicole Larro to end the game, but Arcadia could not salvage the sweep, dropping game-two in 11 innings, 4-3. The Knights are now 10-14 overall and 2-8 in conference, while Lycoming is now 11-9 overall and 4-6 in conference.

Game One: Lycoming 0, Arcadia 8

After a scoreless top half of the first inning, Arcadia capitalized on a two-out error by Lycoming's shortstop to extend the inning. Freshman Amanda Hess reached on the error and then was advanced to third on a ground-rule double from Larro. Junior Alicia McMahon followed with a single through the left side to score Hess and advance Larro to third, while Wilson reached base in the next at-bat on another Lycoming error and also scored Larro. Freshman Tori Zaccaria added on another run to make it 3-0 in favor of the Knights after a two-out single to left scored McMahon.

Wilson retired the first six Warriors to start the game, but after a dropped foul ball, Lycoming's lead-off hitter singled to left center in the top of the third to give them their first base runner of the day. After a sacrifice bunt, an out at the plate and a strikeout, Wilson and the Knights came out of the inning unscathed. Then in the bottom half of the third, Arcadia tacked on two more runs after sophomore Samantha Quigley hit a two-RBI single to score Wilson and McMahon and give the Knights a 5-0 lead.

After the third, Wilson did not allow a hitter to reach safely until two outs in the top of the sixth inning, after retiring the side in order in the fourth and fifth innings, when the Warriors got their second and last hit of the game on a single through the right side.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Knights loaded the bases after a lead-off walk from junior Sara Boyadjis, a bunt single from classmate Jessica Shotwell, and a misplayed sacrifice bunt from classmate Sarah Gunia. Hess pushed across Boyadjis on an RBI-groundout and then Larro closed out the game by tripling to right center to score Gunia and Shotwell and give the Knights the run-rule shortened victory.

Wilson picked up the win for Arcadia, and improved to 4-6 after game-one, after pitching all six innings, scattering just two hits, no walks, and striking out five. For Lycoming, junior Kristi Weaver (4-5) took the loss in the circle after tossing three innings and allowing five runs (two earned), giving up seven hits, one walk, and striking out four.

Larro paced the offence for Arcadia after going 2-4 with a double, the game-ending triple, two RBIs and a run scored. McMahon contributed three hits, going 3-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Boyadjis also had a multi-hit game, hitting singles in both at-bats with a run scored.

Game 2: Lycoming 4, Arcadia 3

After sophomore Laura Christine held the Warriors scoreless in the first, Arcadia pushed across the first run of game-two in the bottom half of the inning. Gunia produced a one-out walk and was able to steal second before advancing to third on a wild pitch, which walked Hess to give the Knights first and third with just one out. Gunia was then thrown out on home on the next at-bat after a fielder's choice from Larro, but McMahon pushed across Hess on a two-out RBI-single down the right field line and gave Arcadia first and third again with two outs. However, a strikeout in the next at-bat ended the threat from the Knights.

Lycoming responded in the next half inning after freshman Rachael Shady reached on a one-out error and was advanced to second on a groundout. A two-out RBI-single then plated Shady to knot the game at one.

Both pitchers then settled down and would hold the opposing team scoreless until the game went into extra innings. Both the eighth and ninth innings were not enough for either team to capture a lead and it was not until international tie-breaker rules, starting in the tenth inning, placed a runner at second at the start of each half inning a team was able to push across a run. Lycoming benefited from the free runner after a fielding error was able to push across the first run of the game since the second inning and give the Warriors a one-run lead.

Arcadia responded in the bottom half after Wilson moved McMahon to third on a sacrifice bunt and Zaccaria hit McMahon home on a sacrifice fly to left field and tie the game 2-2. A strikeout then ended the inning and sent the game into the 11th inning.

In the top half, the Warriors produced a quick lead-off double plated the placed runner from second and gave Lycoming a one-run lead. After a foul out, a single then loaded the bases with one out before a sacrifice fly from senior Kali Moeller gave the Warriors a 4-2, which would prove to be too much for the Knights.

Arcadia did not go down without a fight, however, as Boyadjis moved freshman Kaylee Zarick to third on a sacrifice bunt and Shotwell scored Zarick from third on a one-out RBI-groundout to cut the deficit to just one. Consecutive singles from Gunia and Hess and then a wild pitch put the tying run at third and the winning run at second with two outs. Larro fought off 12 pitches in the final at-bat, with pitch number 10 coming within inches from being a homerun down the left field line, but was called foul and then a groundout ended the game and Arcadia's comeback attempt.

Wilson took the loss for the Knights, after pitching two innings of relief and surrendering three runs (one earned), three hits, no walks, and striking out one, dropping her record to 4-7 on the season. Christine pitched the first nine innings for Arcadia to a no-decision after holding Lycoming to just one unearned run on seven hits, while striking out two. For the Warriors, Shady went the distance in the win, pitching 11 innings and surrendered three runs (one earned) on three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.

The Knights will return to action on Tuesday when they host Penn. State-Abington for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 6 p.m. at Blankley Field.