The Point Park softball team swept Cincinnati Christian University last week. The Pioneers traveled to Florence, Ky. for the double header against the Eagles.

After splitting its home opener the weekend before, the Pioneers came ready to play. Though it was a close call, the Pioneers were able to get past the Eagles 7-6.

In the first contest, Point Park came out of the gate hot. The top of the first showcased the Pioneers scoring two runs off a double from senior catcher Jess Beitler and ground out by sophomore third baseman Amber Cook.

However, that 2-0 lead was short lived, as the Eagles answered with five runs in the bottom of the first off of three hits and an error.

The Pioneers were able to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the second inning. The Eagles committed an error which allowed senior center fielder Alyssa McMurtie to score.

In the bottom of the third, the Eagles took a 6-5 lead. CCU got a runner on base due to a walk, and a Pioneer error allowed the runner to advance to second base. The runner was able to advance to third base on another error by the Pioneers defense. The run was then scored on a fielder’s choice play.

Junior Brittany Zeigler sparked the offense in the top of the fifth inning. Zeigler doubled and was able to reach third base after junior right fielder Shannon Davis bunted.

Freshman Bailey Myers came in to pinch run for Davis. Zeigler scored on a passed ball, and Myers was able to make her way to third base on the play. McMurtie brought Myers home on sacrifice fly ball, giving the Pioneers the 7-6 victory.

Junior pitcher Ashley Iagnemma threw the entire seven innings en route to earning the victory. Iagnemma allowed six runs on four hits, including a homerun, walked two and struck out ten batters. This marked her first game of the season with double digit strikeouts.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Eagles jumped out to an early lead. After the first inning, the Eagles had a 1-0 lead, and they held that lead until the top of the fifth inning.

The Pioneer offense had been held to just three hits leading up to the inning. Sophomore second baseman Courtney Blocher was walked and freshman left fielder Maddie Horn reached first base after a throwing error by the Eagles defense. Blocher made her way to home plate on the error, tying up the game.

Senior shortstop Lily Pruneda made it on base by another Eagles error, allowing Horn to move to third base. Pruneda then stole second base, and senior first baseman Kim Corcoran was walked, loading the bases.

The Eagles then committed their third error of the inning as Beitler reached first base, scoring Horn and giving the Pioneers a 2-1 lead. Cook then hit a sacrifice fly to extend the lead
to 3-1.

The Eagles’ offense tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after a triple and a single scored them the tying run.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Pioneers regained the lead.

Davis singled and was able to reach second base on a passed ball. A combination of a McMurtie single and a Blocher sacrifice fly brought Davis to home plate. Back-to-back singles from Horn and Pruneda scored McMurtie, giving the Pioneers a 5-3 lead, and eventually the win.

Junior pitcher Tiffany Edwards started the game for the Pioneers, allowing three runs on eight hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings. She was relieved by sophomore pitcher Katie Tarr, who got the win, going 2.2 innings, only allowing one hit and striking out five.

The Pioneers will host two doubleheaders at home this weekend. Point Park will take on conference opponents Asbury University on Friday and Midway University on Saturday for Senior Day.