Pitching Powers Lions to Spilt

Pitching Powers Lions to Spilt

Penn State Harrisburg used strong pitching to spilt double-header action defeating SUNY Poly 4-1 in game 1, and falling to Cedar Crest College 2-0 in game 2.

            The Lions struck in the first inning facing the SUNY Poly Wildcats. Senior Kayla Seyfert (Lebanon, Pa/ Cedar Crest) led off the game with a single to left field. After Seyfert stole second base, Junior Erelle Sowers (Harleysvilla, Pa/ Souderton Area) singled to move Seyfert into scoring position. Junior Emily Parmer (Willow Street, Pa/ Solanco) hit the ball just out of the reach of pitcher, allowing Seyfert to score. Freshman Jessica Roelli (Zurich, Switzerland/ Sekundarschulhaus Seehalde) drilled a ball at the Wildcats shortstop forcing an overthrow, which allowed both Sowers and Parmer to score. The Lions held a 3-0 lead after the first.

            On the rubber, Senior Amanda Hartman (Fleetwood, Pa/ Oley Valley) settled in quickly controlling the Wildcats attack. Hartman struck out three batters in the second inning getting out of a jam; she would record five strikeouts on the day. Hartman would allow one run in the third inning, but kept the Wildcats off balance the rest of the game.

            The Lions offensive attack got on the board again in the sixth inning. Senior Jenna Rupakus (New Milford, Pa/ Blue Ridge) crushed a ball over the left fielders head for a triple. Seyfert followed up with a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in Rupakus extending the Lions lead.

            Hartman would close out the game for Harrisburg in the seventh inning by forcing two routine pop-ups and a ground ball to second, securing the 4-1 victory.

            In game 2 Alli Hartman (Harrisburg, Pa/ Susquehanna Township) pitched for the Lions against Cedar Crest Falcons. After allowing a run in the first inning, Hartman settled in striking out four Falcons while allowing seven hits.

            The Lions offense could not find much momentum in game 2. They were able get runners in scoring position in the first, second, and sixth innings, but could not drive in a run.

            The Falcons would add a second run in the sixth inning, which was too much for Harrisburg to overcome falling 2-0. Penn State Harrisburg will be back in action Monday March 6 against Chatham University and La Roche College.