BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – After building a four-run lead in the second game of the doubleheader, the East Stroudsburg University softball team hung on to earn a doubleheader split with Bloomsburg on Monday afternoon at Jan M. Hutchison Field.

The Warriors (14-8, 9-7 PSAC East) suffered a 3-2 loss in the opening game, but avoided the sweep by clinging on to a 4-3 victory against the Huskies (7-15, 5-15 PSAC East) in the second half of the twin bill.

Marah Range (L, 8-3), who was named PSAC East Pitcher of the Week earlier on Monday, appeared in both games. She pitched a complete game in the opening contest, allowing three earned runs in the loss. The Sacramento native then pitched the final two innings in relief in the second game, recording her first collegiate save. On the day, she posted a 2.62 ERA.

Offensively, Reilly Vicendese recorded four hits in the doubleheader, including a double. Molly Nies smacked three hits on the day and drew a walk. Morgan Walsh also posted multiple hits on the day, including an RBI single.  Marissa Govan (2) and Sofia Cecchin also supplied RBIs for ESU.

GAME ONE

Both Range and BU's Tara Baney impressed from the get-go in the circle.

A one-out triple from Abby Wild setup the Huskies for a two-out double to put the first tally on the scoreboard for Bloomsburg on a two-bagger from Alexis Wetzler.

Baney helped her own cause with a one-out RBI single to extend the Husky lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the 4th.

Nies was able to single with two outs in the top of the fifth, as the Warriors looked to cut into the deficit, but a flyout would end that opportunity. Range retired the side in order in the bottom half of the fifth to keep it a 2-0 contest.

ESU sought its ninth come-from-behind win this season and started the attempt with Kaitlin Caleen reaching base on an error with one out in the frame. Ashley Spencer reached base via a single to third base to put runners on first and second. After a groundout, the Warriors were able to score its first run of the ball game on a fielding error by the Husky second baseman to make it a 2-1 contest.

Just as ESU came within a single run of tying the game, BU got the run back on a bunt single in the bottom of the sixth.

With only three outs left and down two runs, the Warriors began the top of the 7th with back-to-back singles from Lexi Wright and Nies. Vicendese would advance both runners into scoring position on a ground out.

With the tying run on second, Cecchin entered the game to pinch hit and belted a sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game. With two outs and the game-tying runner on third, the Warriors could not cash in, as a strikeout would end the comeback attempt and game.

GAME TWO

ESU looked to get off to a fast start in game two, as Vicendese sent a one-out double to left field in the top of the 1st. Ultimately, the Warriors would load the bases, but could not score a run in the frame despite two hits, an error and a hit-by-pitch in the stanza.

Mikayla Pourby's day in the circle would come to a close, one out, with Mickayla Grow entering the game. With runners on first and second, Grow was able to force a fielder's choice and a pop out to escape the inning without any damage.

The Warriors were able to strike first in the top of the 3rd, as Walsh would drive home Nies to take a 1-0 lead. In the home half, the Warriors avoided trouble with a line-out double play to close the inning.

After a scoreless and hitless fourth inning, ESU was able to extend its lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning on three hits and a BU error. Vicendes and Cecchin both singled to begin the frame. An error would score Vicendese later on the in the inning, while Govan singled home Cecchin and Spencer with two outs.

The Huskies didn't go away quietly, smacking four hits in the bottom of the fifth. Leigh Ann Jenkins took over pitching duties in the frame for the Warriors. BU combined to tack on three runs in the frame on a RBI singles and a bases-loaded walk. Jenkins was able to force a fielder's choice to get the lead runner out at home along with a strikeout to preserve the ESU lead at 4-3.

A single and two walks would load the bases for ESU in the top of the 6th, but the Warriors were unable to add any insurance runs.

Range returned to the circle in the bottom of the sixth. She gave up a one-out single, but did not allow her to advance to keep the Warriors ahead on the scoreboard. ESU put a runner on base via a fielding error, but also was unable to plate her in the top of the 7th.

Range forced the Huskies to fly out twice and added a punch out to earn her first collegiate save.

ESU will head out of conference to host Felician on Wednesday afternoon at Creekview Park. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m.