The Saint Vincent College softball team opened the 2021 season on the road against Chatham University for a non-conference doubleheader. The Bearcats split the doubleheader losing the first game 9-3 but won game two, 7-5.

Game 1 – Chatham 9, Saint Vincent 3

SVC opened the scoring early as Mallory Halleck doubled to score Kelsey Tobin who reached on walk. Abbey Ginter followed with a single of her own that allowed Halleck to reach third. Halleck scored on the same play as the shortstop committed an error.

With the Bearcats up 2-0, Chatham answered in the bottom of the opening frame. The Cougars strung together a tiple, a single and double that led to three runs to take control of the game.

In the top of the second, Saint Vincent had a chance to tie the game with the bases loaded but were unsuccessful. Chatham also recorded a scoreless inning.

The third began with a home run by Ginter to even the score at three. The tie was short lived as Chatham responded with a RBI single in the bottom half of the inning to give the home team a 4-3 edge.

The Cougars added to their lead in each of the next three innings. Chatham scored one in the fourth, two in the fifth and two in the sixth. In that time, the Bearcats were only able to put together two hits and fell by the final of 9-3.

Ginter went 2-4 from the plate with a home run. Celia Knappenberger started in the circle and pitched five innings giving up 11 hits, seven runs (six earned) and two walks in the loss.

Game 2 – Saint Vincent 7, Chatham 5

The Bearcats started the second game similarly to the first as Ginter tripled to left field as Jessica Persin scored. In the next at-bat, Halleck grounded out to second but Ginter was able to score to give SVC a 2-0 lead.

Both teams went scoreless until the top of the fourth as Monica Gourley scored off a groundball from the bat of Johnna Karas. Ginter followed with another RBI hit, this time a single to left center as Shae Robson and Persin crossed home plate. Saint Vincent led 5-0 going into the bottom of the fourth.

In the fifth, SVC kept the offensive pressure as Gourley reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Alexandra Dillner. Robson tripled to left center to bring home Gourley, the Bearcats expanded its lead to seven.

In the bottom half of the inning, Chatham got on the board with a RBI double and eventually two more runs scored off a single. Saint Vincent still led 7-3 going into the sixth.

In the sixth, SVC was held scoreless but the hosts cut the deficit. The Cougars scored two more runs off a triple and a double, respectively. As the game progressed to the final frame of regulation, the Bearcats led by two (7-5).

In the seventh inning, the Bearcats were unable to expand upon their lead. Chatham tried to at least tie the game with runners on first and second. The Cougars were halted by Haley Bicko as she forced a line out to end the game, 7-5.

Ginter finished the game going 4-4 with three runs batted in and scoring a run. Gourley went 2-3, scoring twice and driving in a run.

Riley Assalone picked up the win for SVC going five and a third innings, allowing five runs on six hits, three walks and striking out two. Bicko picked up the save in one and two-third innings in relief with two strikeouts.

Saint Vincent (1-1) continues its season on the road at Westminster College for a doubleheader. Game one is set to begin at 1 p.m.