ALLENTOWN, PA (March 30, 2023) – In their first road tests of the 2023 season, the King's College softball team dropped a pair of non-conference contests, 3-1 and 10-2, to Muhlenberg College on Thursday afternoon. With the losses, the Monarchs fall to 8-8 overall, while the Mules improve to 8-8.
 
Game 1 – L, 1-3:
Both teams had a strong start, but the opposition's defense put a stop to some early offensive success as the game saw a scoreless two innings. Muhlenberg (8-8) broke through the defensive standoff first, plating a run on three hits in the bottom of the third before adding two more on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-0 lead.
 
King's (8-8) got on the board in the top of the fifth as Megan Mitola led off with a single before Colleen Shuler walked. With two outs, Bailey Loyack loaded the bases with a walk before the Monarchs took advantage of a Mules error to get on the board and trail, 3-1.
 
There was just one hit recorded over the final two innings as the defensive efforts remained strong to see Muhlenberg win the opener, 3-1, over King's.
 
Kiersten Krouse,  Molly Gillette, and Megan Mitola all recorded hits for the Monarchs in the loss, with Mitola scoring the lone run. Emily Novicki picked up the loss in 6.0 innings, giving up three earned runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts.
 
Four different Mules posted multi-hit games, led by Sophia Cicchetti with a 2-for-3 effort, two RBIs, and a run. Raya Kunes earned the win as the starter, throwing 4.0 innings and giving up just one run on three hits. Justine Bergara was awarded the save in 3.0 scoreless innings for the hosts.
 
Game 2 – L, 2-10 (6 Innings):
The Mules stifled a strong start from King's as they stranded two in the opening frame, and Muhlenberg capitalized in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on two hits to take the early 2-0 advantage.
 
A quiet second inning set up an explosive bottom of the third from Muhlenberg as they saw three runs cross off three hits to hold a 5-0 edge over King's. The hosts tacked on another two runs in the fourth as their lead increased to 7-0, but the Monarchs responded to get on the board in the top of the fifth. Olivia Krupski got the offense started with a two-out single to left field to set up two more singles from Harley Sullivan and Brianna Kesslick that drove in one. A fielder's choice during Gillette's at bat allowed Sullivan to score as King's pulled within 7-2 heading into the bottom of the frame.
 
Muhlenberg would put the game away as they added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to secure the win in the shortened game, 10-2, over the Monarchs.
 
Kesslick led the King's offense as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while five other Monarchs put up hits in the loss. Jennifer Devens was awarded the loss as the starter, throwing 3.0 innings and giving up four earned runs on six hits.
 
Both Sophia Cicchetti and Maddy Svenningsen posted 3-for-4 efforts with an RBI, while Cicchetti scored three runs and Svenningsen added two with two doubles. Leeanna Zagrodnik picked up the win in 4.2 innings of work, allowing the two earned runs while giving up six hits.
 
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The Monarchs will look to bounce back on Sunday afternoon in a MAC Freedom doubleheader at Delaware Valley University. Action is set to begin at 1:00 p.m. in Doylestown, Pa.