FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College softball team (7-22) rallied late in both games but came up short in its quest to take down one of the top teams in the Commonwealth Conference, the Messiah College Falcons (23-6), falling 9-3 in the opener and 10-3 in the nightcap Monday afternoon.

Katie Jenkins launched her first home run in a Blazer uniform and drove in three runs in the twinbill while Casey Dunn collected three hits and Amy Hagerdon doubled in a run to highlight the Blazers' offensive effort.

In the opener, the Falcons scored one in the third, three in the fourth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh. Messiah starter Sara Dietrich held the Blazers to one run on five base hits over the first six innings. But the Blazers mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Jackie Wenzel singled to start things off but was forced at second on a fielder's choice. Jenkins drove in Emalie Stroup with a single to right. With two on and two out, Kelly Gafner knocked in Jenkins with a single to center for the Blazers' third run of the game. Hood's rally was cut short however as Dietrich fanned Caity Battey for the final out.

Jennifer Rutherford (4-9) took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on 15 base hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

In game two, the Falcons scored in every inning but the second to complete the sweep. After Messiah put up a three-spot in the top of the first, Hood got one back in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by Dunn. The Blazers were unable to push across another run for the next five innings before Jenkins pinch hit for Bri Dyckman and launched a 2-2 pitch over the leftfield fence for Hood's third round tripper of the season.

Alison Schuetz allowed just two earned runs and did not surrender a walk but suffered her fifth loss of the season.

The Blazers have a pivotal Capital Athletic Conference series with the Frostburg State University Bobcats coming up Wednesday beginning at 3 p.m. at the Hood Softball Field.