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Falcons Erupt for 15 in First, Roll Past William Penn on Opening Day
Cedar Crest opened the 2026 season in emphatic fashion on Thursday, erupting for 15 runs in the first inning on the way to a 26-0 victory over William Penn. The Falcons wasted no time taking control.
Mia Lutz drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the first run of the game, then Elli Malinoski followed with a two-run single. Cedar Crest kept the pressure on from there, getting another run-scoring single from Addison Nolen, an RBI single from Lutz, a run-scoring walk by Kate Poorman, another two-run single from Malinoski, RBI walks from Ava Rosario and Nolen, a hit-by-pitch RBI from Jackie Funderburk, and a run-scoring walk from Julia Cole during the massive opening frame.
Cedar Crest added to the outburst in the second inning. Ali Groff delivered an RBI single down the left field line, Angelina Orosco brought in a run on a sacrifice fly, Cole added an RBI single to center, and Paige Vandett chipped in with a run-scoring single. Groff added another RBI hit later in the inning, while Orosco and Rosario also contributed RBI singles as the Falcons continued to pour it on.
Malinoski led the offense with a perfect 2-for-2 day and 4 RBI. Nolen and Groff each added 2 hits, with Nolen driving in 3 runs and Groff scoring 3 times while knocking in 2. Cole reached base repeatedly, drew 3 walks, scored 3 runs, and drove in 2.
In the circle, Nolen was sharp in the season opener. The senior fired 3 shutout innings, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 6 and walking none.
Cedar Crest finished with 11 hits, drew 13 walks, and did not commit an error in a clean all-around effort.
The win moves the Falcons to 1-0 and gives first-year head coach Joe Gates his first victory at the helm. Congratulations to Gates on picking up his first win with Cedar Crest.
Next up, the Falcons are scheduled to travel to Palmyra on Friday.
Cedar Crest 26, William Penn 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Penn | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Cedar Crest | 15 | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 26 | 10 | 0 |
Cedar Crest Leaders
E. Malinoski: 2-2, 2 R, 4 RBI
A. Groff: 2-4, 3 R, 2 RBI
A. Nolen: 2-2, 1 R, 3 RBI, BB
A. Rosario: 1-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB
J. Cole: 1-1, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB
M. Lutz: 1-1, 2 R, RBI, BB
A. Orosco: 1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
P. Vandett: 1-1, 2 R, RBI
A. Nolen: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (45 pitches, 33 strikes)
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