READING, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team helped its postseason positioning thanks to a doubleheader sweep of United East rival Penn State Berks at the Hintz Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon, April 25, taking game one 10-2 in six innings before completing the sweep with a 6-3 victory in the nightcap.

GAME 1

Penn State Harrisburg (23-12, 12-5 United East) turned a pitcher's duel into a convincing win thanks to an eight-run sixth inning in Wednesday's first win over Penn State Berks (18-12, 11-5 United East).

A throwing error allowed the visitors to get on the board first, as an attempt to throw out Lauren Hess as she tried to beat out a bunt sailed, giving Mackenzie Fisher the opportunity to score from second base in the top of the third. 

The home team tied it up in the bottom of the fourth but Penn State Harrisburg quickly reclaimed the advantage in the top of the fifth when Madelyn Lehigh drove in Mackenzie Sawdey with a two-out single to right field. Sawdey retired Penn State Berks in order in the bottom half to protect the lead.

Things shifted drastically in the top of the sixth when the visitors racked up eight runs on eight hits, one walk, and one error. Rylee Martinez got the inning's scoring started with a two-RBI single down the left field line before Hess and Lehigh came through with RBI singles of their own. Aspen Walker drove in a pair with a triple to right field and Olivia Herncane capped the scoring with an RBI double. 

The home team got one back in the bottom of the sixth but Sawdey got Hayden Perrone to fly out to end a bases-loaded threat and end the opener early. 

GAME 2

Penn State Harrisburg (24-12, 13-5 United East) scored in each of the final four innings to double up Penn State Berks (18-13, 11-7 United East) in game two and secure the doubleheader sweep. 

After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, the visitors pulled even in the fourth when a Sierra Sims sacrifice fly scored pinch hitter Ashley Elefante. Penn State Harrisburg took the lead for the first time one inning later when Madelyn Lehigh singled up the middle and drove in Alexus Brown from third base. 

The visiting Lions added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth when Sims singled to right field and an outfield error allowed Martinez to come around, followed by a Carissa Yeager RBI single that scored Sims two at-bats later. 

Yeager retired the home team in order in the bottom of the sixth and her offense went back to work in the seventh, as a throwing error on a Martinez line out allowed Aspen Walker to score from third before another Sims sac fly drove in Olivia Herncane to make it 6-1. 

Penn State Berks got two back in the bottom of the seventh but Yeager worked out of potential trouble by inducing a game-ending groundout that she fielded herself, stranding a pair of runners in the process. 

NOTABLES

- Sawdey improved to 15-4 on the season with a win in game one, allowing just one earned run  on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.

- Walker finished a home run shy of the cycle with two RBI and a run scored in the opener.

- Lehigh was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in the first contest.

- Martinez went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored in game one. 

- Fisher recorded two hits and scored twice in the first outing. 

- Yeager earned the win in game two, allowing just two earned runs on four hits and three walks. 

- Yeager also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI.

- Lehigh and Martinez had two hits apiece in the second contest. 

- Sims drove in a pair of runs and scored one of her own in the nightcap. 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions wrap up the regular season by hosting conference foe Penn State Abington at Courtney Pollock Memorial Field on Saturday afternoon.

STAY CONNECTED 

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