NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Washington & Jefferson softball team concluded its 2017 road schedule at Muskingum on Sunday, April 30, falling in both games of its nonconference doubleheader, 8-5 and 11-3 in five innings.
 
The Muskies took an early lead in the first game when they scored twice in the second inning on one hit and an error. The Presidents got one run back in the top of the fourth, however, when Rachel Marx (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny) led off the inning with a single and proceeded to steal second. Two batters later, Abby Cunningham (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) brought Marx around with an RBI single to right-center field.
 
After Muskingum scored in the bottom of the fourth to regain a two-run lead, Danielle Kochka (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) started a two-out rally when she doubled to center field. Meghan Staab (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) then reached on an error, allowing Kochka to score, followed by a double from Marx to score Staab and tie the game, 3-3. Dana Parker (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) concluded the W&J rally with a single to left, scoring Marx, to give the Presidents the lead.
 
In the top of the sixth, Jamie Smith (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) reached on an infield single to third base with two outs and came around to score on the next play thanks to an error by the Muskies' right fielder following Kristen Fuertes' (West Chester, Pa./West Chester) base hit, giving the Presidents a 5-3 lead.
 
Muskingum's offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth, however, plating five runs on three hits to regain the lead and earn the game one win.
 
The Presidents scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning, trailing 10-0 entering the frame. With the bases loaded, Staab reached on an infield single, which allowed Smith to score from third. Marx then singled to plate Emily Jacko (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) and Smith, to cut the deficit down to 10-3.
 
Muskingum tacked on the final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth to earn the sweep.
 
Marx totaled three hits between the two games to lead the W&J offense while Smith recorded a knock in both games.
 
The Presidents will close out their 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2, with a home doubleheader against Pitt-Greensburg with game one beginning at 3:30 p.m.