BOX SCORE (Game 1)

BOX SCORE (Game 2)

LATROBE, Pa. (April 12) - The Saint Vincent College softball team split a pair of games against Westminster College in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Westminster took game one 3-1 before the Bearcats bounced back in game two to win 3-1.

With the split the Bearcats now have an 17-5 overall record and sit at 5-3 in the PAC. Meanwhile, Westminster is 18-6 overall and 8-2 in the conference, holding a tie for the top spot.

Game one was a pitcher's duel, as both teams top pitchers kept the opposition off balance. Westminster scored an unearned run in the top of the third, taking a 1-0 lead. SVC countered right back as junior outfielder Sarah Swettlen slugged a solo shot over the right field fence, tying the score at 1-1. W

The visiting Titans added a pair of runs in the fifth inning, the first on a wild pitch then adding another on a groundout. Despite putting multiple runners on in the fifth and sixth innings, Saint Vincent couldn't rally and fell 3-1.

Sophomore Samantha Emert took the loss, dropping her record to 7-2 on the season. Emert allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out five and walking two. Freshman Emily Duerr and Swettlen recorded multi-hit efforts in game one.

The Bearcats fell behind early in game two, surrendering a run in the top of the first inning. After a slow start offensively, SVC rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Courtney Patterson, Shelby Noel and Duerr all connected on two-out RBI singles to help SVC take the lead.

Duerr shut down the Titans offense the remainder of the game to improve her record to 7-1 on the season. The freshman tossed seven innings, allowing nine hits while striking out two Titan hitters.

Duerr and Patterson had two hits apiece in the game two victory.

Saint Vincent returns to action when they host Grove City for a PAC doubleheader on Wednesday, April 15. Start time is scheduled for 3 p.m.