WESTMINSTER, Md. – Senior Bella Sylvester's RBI double in the fifth inning scored the go-ahead run for the McDaniel College softball team in a 2-1 win over Ursinus in game two of a doubleheader that opened Centennial Conference play for both teams.

The Green Terror (9-7-1, 1-1 CC) earned the split with solid pitching and strong defense, holding the Bears (13-10, 1-1 CC) to just four hits and only a single run in game two. 

Ursinus took control of game one with a massive third inning, plating eight unanswered runs after trailing early in the contest.

Ursinus 11, McDaniel 6 (Game 1)

A two-run home run put Ursinus ahead in the first inning, and the Bears added another run on a bases-loaded walk. The Green Terror got out of the bases-loaded jam to end the top half trailing 3-0. 

After Sylvester got aboard with a triple in the bottom of the first, sophomore Ashley Shawyer belted a two-run homer of her own to left center field to cut the lead to one, her first home run of the season. 

Three more runs came into score in the second inning, as freshman Ally McBride smacked a two-run single to left and Sylvester reached base on an error, allowing sophomore Caitlin Boden to score and give McDaniel a 5-3 lead after two.

Ursinus swung the momentum with a huge third inning. A leadoff double to left field began the rally, and the Bears scored eight unanswered runs by inning's end. Junior Sariah Guevara hit a triple to right field in the bottom half of the inning, and freshman Cameron Kelly scored Guevara on a RBI double moments later.

Both teams were held in check for the final four innings, as neither team scored after the combined nine runs scored in the third. McDaniel threatened to score multiple times down the stretch but couldn't complete the rally in the later innings, falling to Ursinus 11-6.

Shawyer led the way at the plate with a two-run homer, part of a 3-for-4 day in game one. McBride also had a two-RBI afternoon, going 2-for-4. Kelly went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Boden collected a base hit and a score while sophomore Libertie Schatzman also scored a run. 

Senior Hannah Costa took the loss for McDaniel, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing 11 runs on 13 hits, eight of which were earned. Junior Morgan Rogers pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in relief and allowed just three hits and two walks for five total baserunners. 

McDaniel 2, Ursinus 1 (Game 2)

Both teams engaged in a pitcher's duel in game two of the twin bill. Neither team got a base hit until the second inning, and the game remained scoreless until the fourth.

Ursinus took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI double. McDaniel responded in the bottom of the inning after Schatzman drilled a double to left field that scored freshman Rileigh Kitchin to tie the game at 1-1. 

Still tied in the fifth, junior Taylor Applefeld hit a leadoff single to right field and scored the go-ahead run moments later on an RBI double from Sylvester, giving the Green Terror a 2-1 lead.
McDaniel loaded the bases after Shawyer was hit by a pitch, Sylvester stole third base and Schatzman drew a walk, but all three runners were left stranded after a lineout ended the inning.

The Bears could not get another baserunner for the final two innings as they were sent down in order to close the contest. A pop fly in foul territory ended the contest and gave McDaniel a win in game two, 2-1.

Sylvester's RBI double proved to be the winning run, part of a 1-for-2 day with a walk. Schatzman also went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk while Shaywer drew two walks in two plate appearances. Kelly, Boden, Applefeld and freshman Emma Taff all had a base hit in the win.

McBride was the winning pitcher in game two, pitching a complete game and only allowing four base hits and one earned run to the Bears. She struck out five batters and walked only one in 68 pitches.

The Green terror hit the road on Tuesday for a Centennial Conference doubleheader against Washington College. First pitch is set for 3 pm.