ANNVILLE, PA (April 13, 2025) -- The King's College softball team fell, 2-1 in game one and 4-0 in game two, on the road on Sunday afternoon in their Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) series at Lebanon Valley College. With the losses, the Monarchs fall to 10-18 overall and 1-7 in the standings, while the Flying Dutchmen improve to 17-10 with a 9-1 conference mark.
 
Game 1 – L, 1-2:
The first game of the conference series was a defensive standoff that saw just seven hits in the contest. King's (10-18, 1-7 MAC Freedom) had the first hit of the game in the top of the first on a one-out single down the first-base line by Jess Perella, but the Lebanon Valley (17-10, 9-1 MAC Freedom) defense turned a double play to end the inning.
 
The Dutchmen got on the board in the bottom of the frame behind a lead off walk and a two-out single to right to take the early 1-0 lead. The next four innings flew by as there was just one Lebanon Valley hit, a one-out single in the bottom of the second, to break up the action. The hosts then tacked on their insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on a one-out double to left center as King's trailed, 2-0.
 
Harley Sullivan got on with a one-out single through the right side for just the second Monarch hit on the day, but the King's offense could not bring her in. Facing their final at-bats, the Monarchs made a valiant effort to try and extend the game. Emily Novicki singled to left, and a Dutchmen error allowed Colleen Shuler to reach safely. A single to right by Megan Matsko loaded the bases with one out. A fielder's choice saw Kara Krouse drive in the first run of the game to close within a run, 2-1. With a runner on third and two retired, Breanna Goldspiel was narrowly thrown out at first to end the game and shut the door on the comeback effort as King's dropped the first game, 2-1.
 
Four different Monarchs had a hit in the loss, with Alyssa Fox scoring a run as a pinch runner and Krouse picking up the RBI. Novicki collected the loss, giving up two earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts to move her into second all-time in program history.

Three Dutchmen recorded a hit in the win as both Holly Grube and Maddy Gronback had a hit and an RBI to lead the offense. Grube also earned the win in the circle, giving up four hits and an unearned run.
 
Game 2 – L, 0-4:
It was a similar story in the second game of the doubleheader. Both teams got a hit in the first, a one-out single to right by Perella for King's, but again it was the Dutchmen in the bottom of the second to strike first off a pair of hits to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The hosts put up another two runs on three hits in the third to push their advantage to 3-0. Novicki singled to center with one out in the top of the fourth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but the Monarchs failed to bring her in as they continued to face a 3-0 deficit.
 
After a quick two innings, Lebanon Valley plated their final run in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-0 edge. The Monarchs got a two-out double off the bat of Meghan Marianelli to try and spark a comeback, but the Dutchmen defense delivered the final out as King's dropped game two, 4-0.
 
Five different Monarchs had a hit in the setback with both Shuler and Marianelli hitting doubles. Madisyn vonFrisch gave up three earned runs on eight hits while striking out three.
 
Bella Mackison went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Dutchmen. Abby Reed picked up the shutout win while allowing only five hits.
 
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King's will stay in their MAC Freedom schedule in their next outing, traveling to FDU-Florham on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch in Madison, NJ is set for 3:00 p.m.