WEST CHESTER, Pa. – With a 7-4 win in game one of a doubleheader against West Chester, East Stroudsburg University softball coach Jaime Wohlbach recorded her 100th victory at ESU. The Warriors (22-12, 13-11 PSAC East) fell in a tight battle with the Golden Rams (17-9, 13-9 PSAC East) in game two by a score of 5-4 to split the twin bill on Tuesday afternoon at WCU Softball Field.
Offensively, Molly Nies (4-7) paced the ESU offense with .625 on-base percentage, posting four hits and along walk, along with an RBI. Reilly Vicendese posted three RBIs in the opening game to help the Warriors secure the victory. Kaitlin Houser (2 RBIs), Sofia Cecchin, Morgan Walsh and Rachel Seiverd also drove in runs on the day for the Warriors.
In the circle, Marah Range (12-4) posted a complete game victory in game one by allowing just two earned runs while striking out nine. She also pitched an inning of releif in game two.
On the day, Range allowed two earned runs, six walks and tossed 10 strikeouts in eight innings of work, earning her PSAC leading 12th win in game one.
Jenkins was charged with a loss in game two. The reigning PSAC East Pitcher of the Week allowed five earned runs in five innings, but struck out an impressive eight Golden Rams in the outing.
GAME ONE
In its first at bats of the afternoon, the Warriors were able to strike first. After Nies reached second base via an error to begin the contest, Nicole Klass took over running duties. Vicendese advanced Klass over with a ground out. After another ground out, Klass was able to scamper home on a wild pitch to give ESU a 1-0 lead.
Range retired the side in order in her first inning of work and stranded the leadoff batter on second after a double to avoid damage through two frames.
The Warriors expanded its lead to three in the top of the 3rd, as Vicendese drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Cecchin followed with an RBI ground out, as the Warriors used small ball to take a 3-0 advantage.
Range allowed a single and walk but continued to put up zeroes on the scoreboard to complete the third inning.
It was in the fourth frame where ESU took control. An RBI from Nies followed by a 2-RBI single from Vicendese lifted ESU to a commanding 6-0 advantage.
WCU crept back with its first runs of the afternoon with a RBI single and double to cut the deficit to 6-2 in the bottom of the 5th.
MacKenzie Lewis would get a run back on a solo home run to begin the seventh inning, lengthening the ESU advantage to 7-2.
The Golden Rams looked to make the game interesting with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the 7th, but Range would force a fly out to right field to end the contest at 7-4 in favor of the Warriors.
Wohlbach's 100th win has come in her sixth season as head coach at ESU.  Prior to coming to the Poconos, Wohlbach posted 54 wins as the head coach of Iona (2008-10) and 115 wins at Delaware (2011-2015.) She has totaled 269 career wins as a collegiate coach.
GAME TWO
With WCU closing game one strong, the hosts kept momentum by scoring a run in the top of the 2nd on a wild pitch.
The WCU advantage would not last long, as Walsh would belt an RBI single to score Addison Roche in the top of the 3rd. ESU looked to take the lead, but would ultimately strand the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the third, the Golden Rams struck for five hits and three runs to grab a 4-1 advantage. Jenkins was able to get out a bases-loaded jam to avoid further damage.
The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning, as the comeback Warriors sought its 12th comeback win of the season. A two-RBI Houser double cut the deficit to one and Seiverd would plate the tying run with two outs on a double through the left side of the infield.
With the score at 4-4, WCU would smack a sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run and eventual game-winner in the bottom of the 6th.
Kaitlin Caleen was able to reach base via a one-out walk in the top of the 7th, but ultimately could not advance into scoring position, as ESU fell to West Chester, 5-4, in the second half of the doubleheader.
The Warriors are back on the road on Friday, when ESU heads to Lock Haven for a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. The Bald Eagles will make the return trip on Saturday to Creekview Park for ESU's Senior Day. The first pitch on Saturday at Vigon International Field is set for 1:00 p.m.
