(box score)

Widener was handcuffed all day by solid pitching and was dealt a 3-0 loss by ninth-ranked Messiah at the Commonwealth Conference Tournament in Annville, PA.

The Falcons grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning.  Abby Bergakker lined an run-scoring single and Jessica Rhoads followed with an RBI single.

Messiah (33-7) added an insurance run in the fifth when Rhoads laced an RBI double to left field.

It was enough for Rhoads (24-3), who struck out nine over five innings and permitted three hits.  Tori Hatt gave up one hit over two scoreless innings and the duo combined to face just five batters above the minimum.

Belle Mead, NJ senior Kim Dougherty (10-6) gave up three runs and six hits over six innings with four strikeouts and one walk for the Pride (26-14).

Widener on Saturday faces Elizabethtown in an elimination game, beginning at 9:00 am.