GRANTHAM, Pa.  – Sophomore McKenzie Somers (Littlestown, Pa./Littlestown) retired the final four batters to close out a 3-2 victory as Gettysburg College salvaged a split in a non-conference doubleheader at Messiah College on Friday.
 
Messiah (22-14) limited Gettysburg (14-12) to one hit in a 4-0 decision in the opening game. The Bullets rebounded in the nightcap with sophomore Rachel Julie (Elmsford, N.Y./Briarcliff) plating the game-winning run in the sixth inning and Somers closing things out for her second save of the season.
 
Gettysburg's only hit in the opening game came off the bat of junior Sophia Blasius (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) in the fifth inning. Blasius also walked in the contest, while junior Meredith Taylor (Hamilton, N.J./Northern Burlington) drew two free passes.
 
The Falcons jumped on the board with a pair of unearned runs in their opening at bat. Isabel Seise recorded a sacrifice fly in the frame and tacked on a run-scoring single in the sixth inning as Messiah closed the game with two more runs in its final at bat.
 
Senior Aileen Reilly (Huntington Station, N.Y./St. Anthony's) took the loss for Gettysburg after going 5.2 innings and allowing three hits, four runs (two earned), and striking out three.
 
The Bullets jumped out early in game two in support of junior pitcher Morgan Clauser (Columbus, N.J./Northern Burlington), who did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. Sophomore Taylor Doi (Foster City, Calif./San Mateo) plated the game's first run with a single in the second inning.
 
After Messiah tied the game in the fourth inning, sophomore Sarahrose Jonik (Glenmoore, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) put the visitors back in front with an RBI single to right field in the fifth. The Falcons came right back in the home half of the frame to knot the game once again.
 
In the top of the sixth, senior Wendy Folfas (Westminster, Md./McDonogh School) singled up the middle. Pinch-runner Nicole Farese (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) swiped second base, setting the stage for Julie to drive her home with a single to center field.
 
Somers relieved Clauser with two outs and a runner on second base in the sixth inning. The sophomore picked up a grounder back to the circle to close the inning and retired all three batters in the bottom of the seventh, including striking out Amber Bingaman to finish off the victory.
 
Clauser improved to 8-3 with the victory. She allowed six hits, two runs, three walks, and struck out two. Jonik was the lone Bullet with multiple hits and finished 2-for-4.
 
Gettysburg resumes its Centennial Conference slate Sunday with a doubleheader at home against Swarthmore College beginning at 1 p.m.