Harrisburg, PA – Penn State Harrisburg Softball used dominating pitching and timely hitting to sweep Wilson College. Allison Hartman held the Phoenix to just one hit, while striking out five in route to the 1-0 victory. Emma Lerchen, Nicole Ditzler, and Erelle Sowers combined to hold Wilson to just 3 hits in game two, in route to the 4-2 victory.
Penn State Harrisburg 1 vs Wilson 0
Penn State Harrisburg 4 vs Wilson 2
Records:
Penn State Harrisburg: 7-5 Overall
Wilson: 2-8 Overall
How it Happened:
The Lions found themselves in a pitcher duel in game one of the doubleheader. Allison Hartman kept the Phoenix off balance all game, not allowing a hit or baserunner until the sixth inning.
Meanwhile the offense chipped away at Wilson, threating to score in the fifth inning. Nina Bruno would lead off the inning by crushing a triple over the left fielders head. Hartman would then draw a walk and steal second base, but the Lions could not drive them in. Harrisburg would break through in the bottom of the sixth inning. Emily Parmer would triple to left field, putting the go ahead run 60 feet from home. Dominique Emmett would deliver with a deep fly ball to left field that scored Parmer.
The one run would be enough for Hartman who struck out the first batter of the seventh inning. Katie Humphrey would make a diving catch in left for the second out and Erelle Sowers made the final out, throwing the runner out at first from short stop.
The Lions offense struck in the first inning of game two, quickly taking control of the game. With the bases loaded, Allison Hartman drew a walk to put the Lions ahead 1-0. In the second inning, the offense got rolling after Emma Lerchen and Carlee Gochenaur reached base, Sowers would single to score Lerchen. Humphrey would add a hard hit ball up the middle that scored Gochenaur. With Sowers on third, Parmer would perfectly execute a suicide squeeze by laying down a bunt allowing Sowers to slide around the catcher's tag and score the run.
With a 4-0 lead, Emma Lerchen would settle in on the mound, holding Wilson to just two hits in five innings of work. Nicole Ditzler and Erelle Sowers would come in for relief pitching and record an inning each to close out the victory.
Inside The Stats:
Game 1
Winning Pitcher: PSH- Allison Hartman
Losing Pitcher: Wilson- Megan Potter
Hits: Penn State Harrisburg (2) vs. Wilson (1)
Errors: Penn State Harrisburg (0) vs. Wilson (0)
Game 2
Winning Pitcher: PSH- Emma Lerchen
Losing Pitcher: Wilson- Daphne Buzard
Save: PSH- Erelle Sowers
Hits: Penn State Harrisburg (6) vs. Wilson (3)
Errors: Penn State Harrisburg (1) vs. Wilson (1)
Impact Performance:
Game 1
Allison Hartman- 7.0 innings, 1 Hit, 5 SO's, 0 BB
Emily Parmer- 1-2, 3B
Game 2
Emma Lerchen- 5.0 Innings, 2 Hits, 2 SO's
Coach's Thoughts:
Afterwards Head Coach Tonya Dengler said, "The ladies played with focus and consistency today. We executed well on offense and defense which allowed us to take control and set the tempo of the game."
What's Next:
Penn State Harrisburg will open CAC conference play with a doubleheader against Southern Virginia on March 31st at 1PM and 3PM. Follow Penn State Harrisburg all season long on social media with the following handles and hashtags:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PSHbgSoftball
Instagram - www.instagram.com/pennstatehbgathletics
Facebook - www.facebook.com/pennstatehbgathletics
