WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – A walk-off win in the first game and a one-hitter from senior Kristi Weaver (Milton, Pa./Milton Area) in the second helped the Lycoming College softball team to its first sweep of Susquehanna University in the Cancer Awareness Cup since the trophy games started to be contested in 2009, as Lycoming won 4-3 and 9-1 in five innings on Sunday afternoon, April 17, at the Shangraw Athletic Conference.
 
Down by three runs in the sixth inning, the Warriors (14-17 overall) rallied with a three-run frame before scoring the winning run in the seventh thanks to a bases loaded force out to post a come-from-behind 4-3 win for the team's first win over Susquehanna (16-12 overall) since 2003.
 
Down 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth and facing Jamie Fesinstine, who hadn't allowed a hit in the first five innings, the Warriors got started when senior Ashley Burger (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville Area) roped a liner that tipped off a leaping shortstop's glove. Senior Chelsey Poorman (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) followed with a sac bunt and when the throw got away from the second baseman, it helped the runners reach second and third. Freshman Ashley Schoenstadt (Gap, Pa./Pequea Valley) followed with a double into the right-center field gap to score both runners. After a strikeout, Schoenstadt moved to third on a passed ball, where she scored easily on a deep double to center field by pinch-hitting sophomore Heather Secord (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) to tie the game. After a double down the line by sophomore Rachael Shady (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) put runners on second and third, a pair of fly outs ended the inning.
 
The Crusaders used a walk to eventually get a runner to third in the seventh inning, but a fly out to center field ended the inning. In the Warriors' half of the frame, Burger singled through the right side with one out to start a rally. Poorman followed with a single to left field and Schoenstadt walked to load the bases for senior Elisa Novak (Ambler, Pa./Germantown Academy), who hit a grounder off the pitcher's glove to allow pinch-running sophomore Samantha Fischer (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) to slide in safe at home with the winning run.
 
The Crusaders scored a single run in the first inning, aided by a leadoff walk and a two-out RBI single from Laura Creamer.  In the third inning, they scored two more, again using a walk and three hits, with Claire Hanratty delivering the big blow with a two-RBI single. The Warriors held them from there, though, as Shady allowed just three walks in the last four frames to keep it close.
 
Shady (7-8) earned the win, tossing seven innings and allowing five hits, five walks and three runs. She struck out two. Fesinstine (10-4) took the loss for Susquehanna, as she allowed six hits, four runs, three earned and walked three in 6 2/3 innings. She struck out five.
 
Burger led the Warriors, going 2-for-3 and Schoenstadt added a double, a run and two RBI. Genevieve Riley led the Crusaders, as she walked four times and scored twice.
 
In the second game, the Warriors used an eight-run second inning to take control and Weaver (6-8) stayed in control in the circle, tossing a five-inning one-hitter to help the team to a 9-1 run-rule win and the team's first sweep of the year.
 
Weaver started the rally with a  one-out walk before senior Dominique Thomas (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) was hit by a pitch and junior Morgan Kunes (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain) walked to load the bases. A pair of wild pitches allowed Weaver and Thomas to score before Burger walked and stole second. Poorman walked as a pitch went wild again, allowing Kunes to score the third run. After Poorman stole second, Schoenstadt singled into center field to score Burger. Schoenstadt stole second on a first and third situation, allowing Poorman to steal home before Novak walked to put runners on first and third again. The Warriors again executed the double steal to bring Schoenstadt in before Shady delivered a home run over the left-center field fence to make it 8-0.
 
The Warriors taked on one more run in the fourth inning, as Schoenstadt led off with a single to left center field. After a fly out, a fielder's choice didn't yield an out before Weaver reached on an infield single to load the bases for Thomas, who was hit by a pitch.
 
Susquehanna scored its lone run in the top of the fifth, as Jackie Gore was hit by a pitch to lead off before Leigh Ann Greenwald doubled to center field with one out. A groundout helped Gore score, but another groundout ended the game.
 
Schoenstadt led the Warriors in the second game, as she went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI and Shady added two runs and two RBI.
 
Jessica Juhlen (2-2) took the loss for Susquehanna, as she allowed five earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.
 
The Warriors head to Elmira for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 19, at 3 p.m.