HACKETTSTOWN, NJ - In a doubleheader matchup of the fourth and fifth teams in the conference, Cairn and Centenary each took one game apiece to keep their postseason hopes alive. 

GAME ONE: Centenary jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but Cairn answered right back in their half of the second, when an Adriana Shannon triple to right field scored starting pitcher Krista Earl to get things rolling for the Highlanders. The Cyclones were able to add one more run in the bottom of the second, but were held scoreless for the rest of the game. The Highlanders tacked on runs in the third, sixth, and seventh innings, highlighted by a bases-loaded, 2 RBI single for Emma Holmes in the 3rd and a bases-clearing 2 RBI triple for Olivia Nieto in the 6th. Nieto also singled in the top of the 7th to score another run, setting the score at 9-3 Highlanders, and the Cyclones were unable to plate a run in the bottom of the 7th, ending the game with a Cairn victory.

After giving up three runs in the first two innings, Krista Earl found her rhythm in the circle, only allowing 4 Cyclone baserunners for the rest of the game. She saved her best stuff for last, as two of her three strikeouts came against the final two Centenary batters of the game.

Olivia Nieto had an excellent hitting performance in game one, going 3-5 with 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored, no strikeouts, and an extra-base hit. Three other Highlanders (Krista Earl, Elizabeth Malarski, and Jenna Kenyon), each went 2-4.

GAME TWO: The Highlanders were unfortunately unable to repeat their excellent offensive production from the first game, as the Cyclones again jumped out to an early scoring advantage that the Highlanders could not recover from. Centenary got all their scoring done in the first four innings, as costly Highlander fielding errors put runners in scoring position and led to a 5-0 hole by the 5th inning. Cairn got some momentum going in the top of the 6th, loading the bases on a Theresa Beck double, a Centenary fielding error, and a successful bunt by Elizabeth Malarski. Adriana Shannon sent a ball to right field for a sac fly to plate the Highlanders' first run of the game, but Cairn was unable to get any more baserunners home. The final score of game two was Centenary 5, Cairn 1, splitting the day's doubleheader into one win apiece for the two CSAC teams battling to stay alive in the conference postseason picture.

In game two, Theresa Beck went 2-4 at the plate with a run scored. Adriana Shannon had the Highlander's only RBI of the game.

In the circle, Kacey Wees pitched a complete game, giving up three earned runs and striking out three. 

With the split, Cairn currently holds the fifth seed and last playoff spot in the CSAC with three conference opponents yet to face. The Highlanders have little time to rest, as they head out to Chambersburg to face the Wilson College Phoenix for another CSAC doubleheader on Saturday.