FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College softball team (0-6) dropped both games of a nonconference doubleheader to the visiting Messiah College Falcons (4-0) Friday in Hood's home opener.

Hood fell 6-0 in the opener of the twinbill and suffered a 9-0 setback in six innings in the nightcap.

In game one, starting pitcher Bridgette Ringley retired the side in order in the top of the first and the Blazers had a prime scoring chance in the bottom half of the frame. Ringley got things going with a one-out infield single. Krista Zerby then drilled a single up the middle and Steph Gardner walked to load the bases. But Messiah's Jessica Rhoads fanned Hood's next two hitters to escape the inning without allowing a run.

Messiah broke through in the top of the second when Amy Bowie scored on a Blazer passed ball. The Falcons then plated three runs in the top of the fourth, highlighted by a two-run triple off the bat of Lindsay Hall.

Rhoads would not surrender another Blazer base hit the rest of the way. Messiah tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run homerun by Amy Bowie over the centerfield fence for the final margin.

Zerby collected two of Hood's five hits in the contest. Rhoads went the distance for Messiah and struck out 13 Blazers along the way. Ringley also tossed a complete game, allowing only two earned runs.

In game two, Megan Rice pitched Messiah's second complete-game shutout and surrendered only three hits. Jen Willison registered two of those base hits, including a double in the bottom of the second, while Zerby notched her third hit of the afternoon in the bottom of the fourth.

Messiah plated two runs in the first, two in the third and five in the sixth to remain undefeated on the season. Jaclyn Merkel was 3-for-3 with a homerun and three RBI for the Falcons.

Devon Markowitz suffered the loss, allowing all nine runs (four earned), on 12 hits with a pair of strikeouts and three walks.

The Blazers entertain Allegheny College Sunday in a nonconference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.