ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Elizabethtown on Tuesday afternoon, March 21. The Lions took game one 6-3 before the hometown Blue Jays salvaged a split with a 10-3 decision in the nightcap.

GAME 1

Penn State Harrisburg (7-4) scored in four consecutive innings during the team's victory in the opening contest of a doubleheader at Etown (5-4) on Tuesday afternoon.

Reigning United East Pitcher of the Week Kierstyn Smith turned in another strong performance, securing the win after throwing a complete game. Olivia Herncane hit a home run, while Madelyn Lehigh and Leah Macaluso each had multi-hit outings.

The Blue Jays struck first in the bottom of the opening frame but the visitors tied it up thanks to Herncane's two-run homer to left center field in the top of the second. Smith retired Etown in order in the bottom half and Macaluso drove in Madeline English with an RBI double in the third but the home team drew even heading into the fourth.

The Lions took advantage of a two-out error in the fourth and plated a pair of runs before adding an insurance run in the fifth when a Krys Moore triple scored Smith from first base. Smith went back to work in the circle and stranded a pair of baserunners in the sixth before finishing things off with a game-ending groundout in the final stanza.

GAME 2

Penn State Harrisburg (7-5) led midway through the second outing of Thursday's doubleheader but couldn't hold off a late charge from Elizabethtown (6-4) in a 10-3 setback. 

Madelyn Lehigh had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run and a double. Steph Reider also had a multi-hit game. 

The Blue Jays got on the board first thanks to a two-out, RBI double in the bottom of the opening inning but the visitors got a jolt in the top of the third when Reider's two-out single to left field drove in Lehigh and Mackenzie Sawdey. The Lions tacked on another run to make it 3-1 when Lehigh hit her home run with two away in the fifth.

The home team responded with four doubles and four runs in the bottom half and after Penn State Harrisburg left two on base in the sixth, Etown doubled its advantage with five more runs on six more hits and an error. 

NOTABLES

- Smith threw a complete game in the opener, allowing three runs on seven hits en route to earning the win.

- Herncane went 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk, two RBI, and a pair of runs scored in game one.

- Macaluso was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in first contest.

- Lehigh finished 2-for-4 in the opening game. 

- Game two saw Lehigh go 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI.

- Reider went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI in the second outing.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions return to United East play when they travel to Penn State Abington for a conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.