Story by Seth Goodyear

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Penn State Harrisburg dropped its 2014 opener to Johnson & Wales in Myrtle Beach on Saturday afternoon, Mar. 8.  The Lions struggled out of the gate, losing the first game of a doubleheader 11-0 in five innings.  The Blue & White made some critical adjustments and played much better in game number two but still fell 6-3.

In the nightcap, freshman Amanda Hartman (Reading, Pa. / Oley Valley) made her first career start inside the circle and pitched well, giving up nine hits in four innings of action.

The Blue & White jumped out to an early lead when freshman Leah Palm (Hummlestown, Pa / Lower Dauphin) scored on wild pitch and give the team an early 1-0 lead.  The Lions were able to load the bases in the second inning but unfortunately, were unable to capitalize.

Junior Gabrielle Wolfe (New Milford, Pa. / Blue Ridge) kept the Blue & White momentum rolling in the early going when she crushed a double to the left field.  She later scored on another wild pitch to extend the lead to 2-0.

Then the Wildcats exploded in the third and fourth innings to build a 5-2 advantage.

Penn State Harrisburg would not go quietly as they cut into the lead when Hartman scored from first after junior Keriann Saich (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey) hit a ball hard to short stop and forced an error that allowed Hartman to reach home.

Penn State Harrisburg could not muster any more offense and ultimately fell 6-3. The Lions will be back in action Sunday afternoon, Mar. 9 against Dakota State and Ursinus in more doubleheader action by the beach.