MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Faith Willenbrock made a smashing return to the lineup as Millersville scored an 8-0, five-inning victory over Lock Haven in game one of Wednesday's doubleheader before dropping a thrilling, nine-inning affair in game two, 11-10. In her first appearances of the season, Willenbrock hit two home runs and drove in seven.
 
Willenbrock hit two home runs and drove in seven as Millersville (3-4) split with the reigning PSAC champs. Devan Masciulli also hit a home run in game one, and Hunter Little hit a game-tying homer in extra innings in game two.
 
GAME ONE (MILLERSVILLE 8, LOCK HAVEN 0)
• Emma Bevard tossed five shutout innings, surrendered just three hits and struck out eight while the Millersville bats delivered. Freshman Gabi Turner doubled in a pair in the first inning, and later in the inning, Willenbrock's sacrifice fly put the Marauders up, 3-0.
• In the bottom of the third, in just her second at bat of the season, Willenbrock hit an opposite field two-run shot. Masciulli's second career home run was a two-run shot in the fourth.
 
GAME TWO (LOCK HAVEN 11, MILLERSVILLE 9)
• The nightcap was far more eventual with Millersville rallying from behind three separate times, including in both the bottom of the seventh and bottom of the eighth.
After Lock Haven scored five in the top of the first, Millersville answered with its own five-spot in the third. The scoring included an RBI double from Karysa Karas, a three-run blast from Willenbrock, and Masciulli scored on a wild pitch.
• Millersville trailed 7-5 heading into its final at bat, but with the bases loaded, Turner singled in Savannah Kolenda and Little to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Lock Haven retook a three-run lead in the top of the eighth, but again Millersville rallied as Little smashed a three-run homer to extend the game again. Lock Haven, however, received an RBI double from relief pitcher Jana Schellhammer. Schellhammer also blanked the Marauders in the bottom of the inning to score the mound win.
• Milllersville finished with 10 hits. Willenbrock and Karas had three apiece.
 
REACTION FROM COACH JEN PROBST
• On rallying in game two: "We had a lot of big-time pressure situations where we could have folded or given up. Multiple times we had kids get in and get quality at bats. Those are solo home runs if kids aren't having quality at bats and getting on base, setting up those multi-run home runs. No. 2, Emma going out against a lineup she had faced six or seven times on the day and holding her own, it says a lot."
• On Willenbrock's return to the lineup: "There's not enough things I can say about that kid's work ethic. Even though she has been out, she's been working her butt off. She has earned every bit of those two home runs. It's all a testament to her hard work and mindset. She has had four days of preseason. She's always had a positive attitude."
• On what she has seen in the team so far: "We have so much depth. We have players who can play multiple positions. We can sub and pinch hit at will. Plays are going to come in and contribute. I ca move players around and we don't skip a beat. Some teams have to ride one or two players. That's not us. We are a team and that's really exciting to see that early on—to see the selflessness, getting a team win and helping their teammates."
 
UP NEXT
• Millersville travels to Philadelphia for a doubleheader against Jefferson on March 9. Game time is 2 p.m.