ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Softball (12-13)took the visiting Messiah University Falcons to the brink, but the higher seeded guests used their last at bat to earn a 2-1 win in eight innings and advance to the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals.

After the Falcons scratched out an unearned run after a leadoff double in the bottom of the third, the Eagles answered with a nearly identical scenario. Sami Britton yanked a leadoff double down the left field line and advanced to third on a groundout. When Grace Gonzalez hit a ground ball to second base that was misplayed, Britton scored to tie the game.

Lexi Evelyn matched her counterpart from Messiah pitch-for-pitch through five innings. Lauren Lofland came on with a runner on in the sixth inning. The rookie right-hander worked around a runner at third with one out situation with a. Ground ball and a foul pop-up.

Lofland again worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh to give the Eagles a chance to win in the eighth. The Eagles put two runners on with one out, but the Falcons turned a double-play on a smash back to the pitcher to end the threat.

Messiah scored the winning run with two out in the eighth. A pair of walks and an error loaded the bases. Lofland was ahead 0-2, but Messiah left-fielder Lydia Collison battled back in the count and, after fouling off some tough pitches, turned on an inside pitch and hooked it over the third base line for the game-winning RBI.

"Anytime a season ends, it's sad." Head Coach Terri Adams said after the game. "When the emotion goes away and we reflect on the accomplishments of this team... it's simply gratifying.  A win over a ranked opponent team and two program firsts are steps in the right  direction for the future. I would like to thanks our seniors, players, coaches and support staff for all you efforts this season. "

Madison Walter pitched all 22 innings for the Falcons in the series. 

Messiah will play their next series against top-seeded Alvernia.