WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 7, 2024) -- After falling, 5-0, in game one of the doubleheader, the King's College softball team battled back to force extra innings in game two before falling, 6-5, to the visiting Delaware Valley University in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play on Sunday afternoon. With the setback at the Softball Field at Betzler, the Monarchs drop to 10-12 overall and 1-5 in the conference, while the Aggies improved to 10-10 with a 4-4 conference mark.
 
Game 1 – L, 0-5:
The Aggies jumped out to an early 3-0 edge in the opening frame, scoring their runs off four hits, before the defense took care of the Monarch hitters in the bottom of the frame. The bats slowed and defenses settled in as there was just one hit recorded over the next three innings with Delaware Valley (10-10, 4-4 MAC Freedom) still holding on to their 3-0 advantage.
 
The visitors tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the fifth, but Brandi McIntosh entered the game in relief to help limit any additional scores while striking out two. King's (10-12, 1-5 MAC Freedom) put runners on in the sixth on an Aggies error and in the seventh on a two-out single up the middle from Harley Sullivan, but the Monarchs were unable to salvage a comeback in a 5-0 setback to Delaware Valley in game one.
 
Sullivan recorded the lone hit for King's, while Maura Furst picked up the loss through the first 4.1 innings, giving up fie earned runs on seven hits. McIntosh threw well in relief, fanning four and allowing just two hits in her scoreless outing.
 
Kenzie Boyd went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while Amelia Funston totaled a 2-for-3 effort with a pair of RBIs. Madison Karns earned the win in the complete-game, shutout effort.
 
Game 2 – L, 5-6 (8 Innings):
Both teams went three-up and three-down in the first inning before the Aggies struck with the first score of the game on a pair of hits to take the early 1-0 lead. Each team put up a hit in their next at bats, including a single from Emily Novicki, but neither squad was able to string anything together.
 
Delaware Valley capitalized in their next two trips to the plate, scoring four to build their advantage to 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
 
The Monarch bats finally came alive in the frame, scoring four runs on as many hits. Novicki singled to left to lead off the inning before advancing to second on a passed ball. Nina Anzalone came in to pinch run and advanced to third on a fielder's choice off the bat of Brianna Kesslick before BrookeLynn Walters drove her in with a single to center. Walters stole second to put two in scoring position as Kara Krouse singled through the left side to tack on the second run of the inning.
 
Paige Bergan grounded out to the short stop to plate another, and Jessica Perella stepped up to drive in Krouse with a single to center as King's closed within one, 5-4, heading into the sixth.
 
The King's defense limited the Aggies to just one hit in the top of the inning but were unable to capitalize on a Delaware Valley miscue and two-out single from Madison Badali as the Monarchs trailed, 5-4, as the game entered the final frame.
 
The visitors put two runners in scoring position in the top of the seventh, but a great grab from Ellie Higdon at third silenced the efforts to set up the exciting bottom of the inning. Bergan led off with an infield single, advanced to second on a throwing error by the catcher, and scored on a single to right from Perella to tie the game, 5-5, and force extra innings.
 
The Aggies capitalized on a lead off triple from Karns and was driven in by Sierra Ripka with a one-out double to center to hold a 6-5 edge. King's put together a few solid at bats in the bottom of the eighth, but Karns came in to finish the game and hand the Monarchs the 6-5 loss in extra innings in the second game of the MAC Freedom doubleheader.
 
Novicki led the Monarchs at the plate, going 3-for-4 while earning the loss in the circle, throwing all 8.0 innings and giving up six earned runs with eight strikeouts. Perella went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs as well to pace King's.
 
Tori Bockrath had a standout effort for the Aggies, going 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, and an RBI, while Karns was 1-for-3 at the plate with a run while securing the win 5.1 innings of work, giving up two earned runs on three hits.
 
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King's will look to bounce back on Wednesday afternoon as they host FDU-Florham in MAC Freedom play. First pitch of the conference doubleheader at the Softball Field at Betzler is set for 3:00 p.m.