WASHINGTON, Pa. – Five players with multi-hit showings in game two helped the Washington & Jefferson softball team to a Presidents' Athletic Conference doubleheader split versus Geneva on Wednesday, April 18.
 
The Golden Tornadoes took game one 4-1, while game two went to the Presidents, 7-3.
 
After three scoreless innings, Geneva was able to crack the scoreboard with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. W&J then tried to answer in the bottom frame as Addy Helffrich (Sewickley, Pa./Avonworth) led off with a single and then advanced to second and then third on consecutive ground outs. Jamie Smith (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) found a two-out hole in right field for a single that plated Helffrich. This was as close as W&J would get as they conceded another run in the sixth to produce the final result.
 
Trailing 2-0 in the nightcap, Taylor Andres (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) led off the inning with an infield single and then advanced to second off a single from Smith two batters later. In the next at-bat, Brooke Lapia (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) sent a double into left field which brought home Andres and advanced Smith to third. W&J would tie the score as Megan Staab (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) lifted a sacrifice fly to right which allowed Smith to score.
 
The Presidents looked to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Staab led off with a double to center field. Rachel Johnson (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) singled, which moved Staab to third, and then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. After a strikeout, a ground out scored Staab and advanced Johnson. Helffrich then plated Johnson on a double to left field, which put the lead at 4-2 heading into the fifth.
 
The fifth inning brought more runs to W&J's side as Danielle Kochka (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) doubled to start the inning and then advanced to third by way of another single from Smith. Smith then stole second and Lapia walked, loading the bases with no outs. A fielder's choice cut the runner down at home, bringing up Johnson who doubled to right center and scored both Lapia and Smith. Another ground out scored Staab, and W&J took a 7-2 lead.
 
W&J conceded one run in the top of the seventh, but held on to win game two 7-3 and split the weekday series.
 
Johnson continued her impressive season going 3-4 in game one and 2-3 in game two while also tallying a run and an RBI in the nightcap. Smith led the team in game two with three hits, and two runs scored while also getting a base knock and an RBI in game one.
 
Dana Parker (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour), Kochka, and Andres rounded out the multi-hit batters in game two, each getting a pair of hits, while Andres also added a run.
 
Brooke McCleester (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley), Ally Doty (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson), Helffrich, Lapia, and Staab also tallied a hit in game two. Staab tied a game-high with two runs scored.
 
Kristen Fuertes (West Chester, Pa./West Chester) started game one and pitched all seven innings in the loss as she allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and struck out one.
 
Andres also went the distance as she picked up the win in game two as she allowed eight hits and three runs while fanning two batters.
 
The Presidents will be back in action on Friday, April 20, for a PAC doubleheader at Thiel with first pitch of game one set for 3:30 p.m.