WASHINGTON, D.C. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team kept its recent trend of close games going in a doubleheader split with United East foe Gallaudet on Friday afternoon, April 21. The Lions suffered a narrow 2-0 setback in the opener before battling back to earn a 2-1 win in game two. 

GAME 1 

Gallaudet (13-20, 7-12 United East) mustered just one hit but unfortunately for Penn State Harrisburg (18-11, 10-5 United East), that lone hit was a home run that proved the difference in a 2-0 victory in the opening contest of Friday afternoon's doubleheader.

Inside the circle, Mackenzie Sawdey allowed just the one hit along with two walks and struck out six batters, while Steph Reider was Penn State Harrisburg's lone batter to reach base twice. 

The Lions had a chance to do some damage in the top of the third when a pair of runners moved into scoring position with less than two outs but the Bison worked out of the jam and kept things scoreless. 

In the top of the sixth, Kierstyn Smith and Reider led off with back-to-back singles but Penn State Harrisburg again came away empty. Gallaudet took advantage in the bottom half when Elaine Swecker hit a two-out, two-run home run that held up as the game winner.

GAME 2

After suffering a narrow defeat in the opener, Penn State Harrisburg (19-11, 11-5 United East) returned the favor by grinding out a 2-1 victory over Gallaudet (13-21, 7-13 United East) in Friday's nightcap. 

Elaina Gates was 2-for-3 with an RBI double, while Olivia Herncane drove in the game-winning run. Carissa Yeager earned the win inside the circle after throwing three scoreless innings and Mackenzie Sawdey secured the save, striking out five across the final two frames.

The Bison jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second but the Lions answered right back in the top of the ensuing stanza when Gates came through with a two-out double down the left field line that plated Kierstyn Smith from second base. 

After two scoreless innings, Penn State Harrisburg broke through in the top of the sixth when Herncane laced a clutch RBI double into left center field that scored Gates from first base and gave the Lions a lead they wouldn't relinquish. 

Sawdey stranded the potential tying run on third base in the bottom of the sixth before recording three strikeouts in the seventh to seal the hard-fought victory. 

NOTABLES

- Sawdey allowed just two runs on one hit and a pair of walks to go along with six strikeouts in game one. 

- Reider went 1-for-2 with a walk, while Mackenzie Fisher singled and stole a base in the opener.

- Gates finished 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored in game two.

- Herncane was 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI in the nightcap. 

- Yeager did not allow a run and struck out two batters in earning the win in the second outing.

- Sawdey picked up the save in the final contest after striking out five without allowing a run in two innings thrown. 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions make their final conference road trip of the regular season to Lancaster Bible on Saturday for another United East doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 11 a.m.

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