READING, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team dropped a pair of contests to United East foe Penn State Berks on Wednesday afternoon, April 19. The Lions struggled to get the offense going and were edged 1-0 in the first game before falling 6-0 in the second outing.

GAME 1

Penn State Harrisburg (18-9, 10-3 United East) was edged 1-0 by Penn State Berks (18-5, 13-2 United East) in a pitcher's duel in Wednesday's opener.

Krys Moore led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, while Mackenzie Sawdey allowed just one run on three hits to go along with four strikeouts. 

Moore recorded the game's first hit with a single in the top of the second inning but the Lions were unable to advance her. She added a two-out double in the top of the fourth but the visitors were again unable to move her along. 

After Sawdey retired the first nine batters she faced, the home team finally broke through with a solo home run to begin the fourth inning that would hold up as the contest's only run. 

Penn State Harrisburg had a chance to extend the game in the seventh after Steph Reider led off with a single and Alexus Brown pinch ran for her before moving into scoring position when Moore reached on a fielder's choice. Unfortunately for the visitors, Penn State Berks got a key strikeout and turned a double play to halt the threat and end the game.

GAME 2

Penn State Harrisburg (18-10, 10-4 United East) hung around but couldn't break through in a 6-0 loss to Penn State Berks (19-5, 14-2 United East) in Wednesday's final contest.

The Lions racked up seven hits, including a pair of doubles, but were unable to push any runs across. Olivia Herncane had a multi-hit outing, going 2-for-3 with a double, while Sawdey and Carissa Yeager combined for five strikeouts inside the circle.

The home team scored one run in each the second and third frames, respectively, but the visitors followed up with their best scoring chance of the day when they loaded the bases with one away in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, Penn State Harrisburg was unable to push anyone across and Berks used a pair of hits and two errors to plate four more in the bottom half and put things out of reach.

NOTABLES

- Sawdey allowed just one run on three hits and struck out four batters inside the circle in game one. 

- Moore finished 2-for-3 with a double and reached base three times in the opener. 

- Herncane went 2-for-3 with a double in the second outing. 

- Rylee Martinez added a double in game two. 

- Kierstyn Smith threw the final 1.1 innings of the nightcap and allowed just two hits.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions are set to return to action when they travel to Gallaudet for another conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon. 

STAY CONNECTED