ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- In a non-league test against a strong squad from Messiah College, Eastern University Softball battled to a 3-2 loss in the opening game before dropping the nightcap 10-1. Maggie McGowan hit her 20th career home run in the game 2 loss.

Janelle Fair started game one in the circle for the Eagles. The junior ace gave up three ground-ball singles and a pair of runs in the opening inning, and then held the powerful Messiah offense in check until the sixth. The Falcons (31-6) did not have an extra-base hit until Stephanie Schell hit an RBI double in the sixth to break a 2-2 tie.

The Eagles (18-17-1) put their two runs on the board against Messiah ace Sara Dietrich in the fourth inning. Fair led off the inning with a walk and advanced on a McGowan ground out. Jaime Schwartz pulled a single to left center and freshman second baseman Emily Houk lined a double to right center to score Fair. Tori Jacobson then hit a flare over second base to score Schwartz.

The Eagles put two runners with one away in the fifth but were unable to score. The Falcons took the lead on Schell's double after a single and a sacrifice.

The Falcons jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of game two, and that would be all their starter, Mallory Rutledge, would need. McGowan's two-out solo shot to right center cleared the fence by 20 feet, but would be the Eagles' only hit in the five inning game.

The Eagles are scheduled to be back in action tomorrow at home against Swarthmore College.