NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – With a nine-run first and 11-run third inning, the Lycoming College softball team reached 20 runs in a game for the first time in 10 years to highlight their second day at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex, beating Keene State, 22-8, to win their third straight before succumbing to a seventh-inning rally from the Mississippi University for Women, falling 7-5, on Tuesday night, March 14.
 
In the first game, all nine Warriors (3-1 overall) had at least one hit and scored at least once as the team posted a 22-8 five-inning win over Keene State (1-2 overall).
 
The 22 runs marked the fifth time in program history that the Warriors reached the 20-run mark and the first time since a 22-2 win over Penn College in 2013.
 
Three Warriors finished with three hits, with junior Morgan Wetzel (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) finished 3-for-4 with three runs, a single, a double, a triple and four RBI to lead the way. First-year Hailee Sobieski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Catholic) finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, four runs and four RBI and junior Rachel DeWolfe (New Cumberland, Pa./Cedar Cliff) went 3-for-5 with two runs, a double and two RBI. First-year Claire Alexander (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport Area) went 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBI and senior Kaleigh Kinley (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI.
 
The Warriors scored nine runs out of the gate off six hits, taking advantage of three errors in the frame, as they sent 13 batters to the plate. Both Sobieski and Wetzel highlighted the inning with two RBI doubles.
 
After taking on two more runs on three hits in the second, highlighted by a single up the middle from Alexander for an RBI, the Owls responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 11-3.
 
The Warriors stayed in control, though, scoring 11 times in the third on nine hits, including a run of six hits in a row at one point. Wetzel started the inning with a triple and Sobieski posted a two-RBI double two batters later. Later in the inning, Wetzel provided a two-RBI single before DeWolfe drove in two with an RBI double.
 
Liv Whittier scored twice for the Owls and both Mia Ferry and Carissa Miller each had two RBI. Ferry (1-1) took the loss, allowing nine hits and three earned runs in two innings.
 
Russell (2-0) picked up the win, as she tossed the final 1 2/3 innings, getting five straight outs to close the door on the Owls.
 
In the nightcap, Alexander went 2-for-4 with three runs to pace Lycoming, which fell victim to a seventh-inning rally from Mississippi University for Women, falling 7-5.
 
After The W (10-4 overall) tied it with a fifth inning homer, the Warriors went back to work in the bottom of the frame. Alexander and Russell each singled to start the inning and Wetzel delivered a single through the left side that rolled past the left fielder, allowing two runs to score before Wetzel later scored on a wild pitch. Lycoming tacked on another in the sixth, as Alexander singled and then came around to score on a throwing error.
The W rallied in the seventh, though, scoring six runs on five hits and an error, with Mason Crosby capping the rally with a two-run homer after an 11-pitch at bat. Lycoming got the tying run on base in the bottom of the inning, with DeWolfe blasting a two-out double, but a groundout ended the game.
 
The Warriors broke through first, as the first three batters reached on error, helping Alexander come around to score.
 
Faith Ball led the Owls, going 2-for-3 with two runs, a homer and two RBI.
 
Russell (2-1) took the hard-luck loss, as she allowed eight hits and four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, striking out two. Jade Rushing (2-1) earned the win, tossing 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs.
 
The Warriors will now enjoy a Wednesday off in Myrtle Beach before getting back on the field on Thursday, March 16, when they face McDaniel at 1 p.m. and Plattsburgh State at 5 p.m., at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.