Newport News, VA. – Penn State Harrisburg Softball would battle valiantly in their first ever CAC tournament appearance, falling in both games to Christopher Newport and Frostburg State, ending their season. The Lions got an incredible effort at the plate from Allison Hartman who would record four hits on the day including two doubles and a homerun. Hartman would drive in six runs on the day for the Lions.
Penn State Harrisburg 4 vs. Christopher Newport 14- 5 Innings
Penn State Harrisburg 2 vs. Frostburg St. 7
Records:
Penn State Harrisburg: 14-17 Overall
Christopher Newport: 31-6 Overall
Frostburg St.: 20-14 Overall
How it Happened:
Penn State Harrisburg got off to a good start in their first ever CAC playoff appearance, scoring in the first inning of game one against the tournament's number one seed, Christopher Newport. Erelle Sowers would lead off the game with a double to center field. Katie Humphrey would bunt Sowers over to third setting up Allison Hartman. Hartman would drive a pitch into left field, scoring Sowers and giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Captains would strike back scoring five runs in the first two innings to pull ahead 5-1. The Lions would rally back in the top of the third inning. Sowers lead off the inning by beating hit by a pitch. Humphrey would follow with a single into center field, putting runners on first and second. Emily Parmer would lay down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. Hartman would once again deliver with runners in scoring position, this time driving her first home run of the season to left field, cutting the deficit to 5-4. The Captains would offense would continue to score pulling away for the victory.
In game two, the Lions would take on fourth seeded Frostburg State. The Bobcats would in the each of the first three innings, building a 6-0 advantage. The Lions would start to rally back in the third inning. Nina Bruno would start the rally by doubling down the right field line. Erelle Sowers would single to the shortstop, but Bruno would be caught in a run down. Emily Parmer would then be hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. Hartman would then double down the left field line, allowing both Parmer and Sowers to score. Carlee Gochenaur would then single to put runners on the corners, but the Lions could not convert.
The Lions entered the final inning, trailing by five. Kristen Evans would lead off the inning reaching on an error by the Bobcats center fielder. Jess Roelli would single and Bruno would draw a walk to load the bases for the Lions. After the Bobcats turned a double play, Humphrey would single to right field to cut the deficit to four. The Lions would not be able to rally any further, ending their season.
Inside The Stats:
Game 1
Winning Pitcher: CNU- Laura Kate Moss
Losing Pitcher: PSH- Allison Hartman
Hits: Penn State Harrisburg (4) vs. Christopher Newport (14)
Errors: Penn State Harrisburg (2) vs. Christopher Newport (0)
Game 2
Winning Pitcher: FSU- Allison Short
Losing Pitcher: PSH- Kaylee Simon
Hits: Penn State Harrisburg (7) vs. Frostburg St. (12)
Errors: Penn State Harrisburg (1) vs. Frostburg St. (1)
Impact Performance:
Game 1
Allison Hartman- 2-3, 4 RBI's, HR
Erelle Sowers- 1-2, 2 Run's Scored, 2B
Game 2
Allison Hartman- 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI's
What's Next:
Penn State Harrisburg will head into the off-season looking to improve on this season's success next season. Follow Penn State Harrisburg Softball on social media with the following handles.
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PSHbgSoftball
Instagram - www.instagram.com/pennstatehbgathletics
Facebook - www.facebook.com/pennstatehbgathletics