MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's softball team split with York (Pa.) in the squad's home-opening doubleheader at Courtney Pollock Memorial Field on Tuesday afternoon, March 12. The Lions used two big innings to win the opener 7-1 before the Spartans used one multiple-run frame to escape with a 3-0 victory in a darkness-shortened nightcap.
GAME 1
Behind another strong start from Mackenzie Sawdey and crooked numbers in the fourth and sixth innings, Penn State Harrisburg (6-1) rolled to a 7-1 victory over York (Pa.) in the first outing on Tuesday afternoon.
After Sawdey worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first, the Lions finally broke through with a four-run fourth. Following a Sierra Sims sacrifice bunt that moved Olivia Herncane and Alexus Brown into scoring position, Lilly Feltenberger singled to center field and drove them both in. Kierstyn Smith followed it up with a pinch-hit single and Madelyn Lehigh drove a full-count offering into left field to plate Smith and make it 4-0.
The Spartans (6-4) got one back in the sixth but the home team responded with a three-spot in the bottom half, sparked by a Mackenzie Fisher RBI single through the right side that plated Feltenberger. Reigning United East Volt Division Player of the Week Cara Biesecker added to the advantage with a single to left field that drove in Lauren Hess and Fisher.
Sawdey sat down a pair of Spartans via strikeout in the top of the seventh, including a backwards K to end the game.
GAME 2
York (Pa.) used one big inning to take game two by a 3-0 decision and earn a doubleheader split with Penn State Harrisburg (6-2) on Tuesday afternoon.
A pitcher's duel broke out between the two squads, with Carissa Yeager and Kyrsten Coppage allowing no runs through the first five innings. Yeager was aided by stellar defense from Mackenzie Fisher and Olivia Herncane, while Coppage stranded runners in scoring position in four separate frames to preserve the shutout.
The Spartans (7-4) finally broke through in the sixth, using three hits, including an RBI double, a seeing-eye single, and a sac fly to put up three runs. The Lions had one last chance in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to put a rally together before the game was called an inning early due to darkness.
NOTABLES
- Sawdey improved to 4-0 with her win in the opener. She surrendered just one run and struck out six batters.
- Biesecker was 2-for-4 with two RBI in the opener.
- Feltenberger went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored in the first outing.
- Lehigh finished 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and a walk in the nightcap.
- Yeager allowed just two earned runs in 5.1 innings thrown in game two.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions return to action with another non-conference doubleheader at Delaware Valley on Tuesday, March 19.
STAY CONNECTED
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