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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A three-run fifth inning helped lift the Lycoming College softball team to a 6-4 win over Division II Malone University in the nightcap of its action on Tuesday, March 4, while Mount Union scored in the bottom of the eighth to escape with a 5-4 win in Lycoming's first game of the day at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.
 
The Warriors (3-1 overall) rallied from a one-run deficit in the fifth inning, with back-to-back RBI singles from junior Caroline Lapano (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) and sophomore Dominique Thomas (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) capping the rally and leading the Warriors to a 6-4 run.
 
Lapano (2-0), meanwhile, stepped back into the circle and shut down the Pioneers, allowing four singles and no runs in her last four innings, helping the Warriors to the win. She finished with a seven-inning complete-game, allowing 11 hits and two earned runs. She struck out four.
 
In the fifth, sophomore Chelsey Poorman (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) reached on an error before scoring on a double to left by freshman Kelcie Crabb (Millmont, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) to tie the game at four. After a walk and a fielder's choice left runners at first and second, Lapano delivered the game-winning single into left center before Thomas stroked a single into left to add the insurance run.
 
Lycoming started the game with a two-run first inning, as sophomore Elisa Novak (Ambler, Pa./Germantown Academy) led off with a single before an error helped Poorman to reach. Crabb followed with a sac fly before junior Nikki Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) delivered a RBI single into left.
 
The Pioneers (2-1 overall) answered with three runs in the first inning, with Desi Hengoed capping the inning with a RBI double. The Warriors tied the game in the third, as Poorman led off with a single and stole a base before she was called out on a fielder's choice that allowed Crabb to reach. Marianelli followed with a triple to score Crabb. Malone answered with a run in the bottom of the inning as Hengoed hit a double and came around to score, setting up the Warriors' big fifth inning.
 
Thomas led the Warriors by going 3-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI and Marianelli finished 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI and a triple.
 
Hengoed led the Pioneers by going 4-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and a RBI and Erika Gerber went 3-for-4 with a RBI. Stephanie Byrne (1-1) took the loss, allowing seven hits and two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
 
The Warriors rallied from a three-run deficit in the morning game to tie the game at four in the sixth inning, but Mount Union was able to push a run across in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 5-4 decision from the Warriors.
 
Down 4-1, the Warriors rallied, as Novak hit a one-out single before sophomore Ashley Witmer (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor) followed with a single, setting up a triple by Marianelli that drove in two runs. Sophomore Kristi Weaver (Milton, Pa./Milton Area) followed with a sac fly to tie the game.
 
After both teams went quietly in the seventh, the Warriors got the first chance in the international tiebreaker, but a popup and a strikeout left the team down to its last out. Witmer reached on an error, but the runner was cut down trying to score.
 
Mount Union was able to lay down two sacrifice bunts to push across the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
 
The Warriors got on the board in the first inning, as junior Kali Moeller (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) led off with a walk, took second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on an error. The Raiders (2-2 overall) responded with two runs each in the second and fourth inning, setting up the Warrior rally.
 
The Warriors finished with four hits, led by Marianelli's two RBI and a triple. Olivia Schumacher led the Raiders by going 2-for-4 with a run and three RBI. She hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
 
Marianelli started the game for the Warriors, allowing six hits and one earned run in four innings. She walked one and struck out six. Weaver (1-1) took the hard-luck loss, allowing an unearned run and three walks in 3 1/3 innings.
 
Michelle Stiltner (2-0) earned the win for Mount Union, as she allowed four hits, two walks and struck out three in a complete game. She allowed three earned runs.
 
The Warriors get back on the field on Wednesday, March 5, when they face Ferrum at 9:30 a.m. and York (Pa.) at 11:30 a.m. at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.