Grunza's grand slam powers Lady Lions to split decision in double-header with WIlkes

Hazleton, PA - Penn State Hazleton took the field for their final non-conference outings of the 2015 season on Tuesday afternoon against NCAA 3 opponent Wilkes University. Power hitting from the Colonels led them to victory in game one by a score of 10-4, but the Lady Lions rallied in game two with outstanding pitching and some hard hitting of their own to earn the victory 7-6.

Game 1: Wilkes University 10, Penn State Hazleton 4

Top 4: Ally Paskas belted a solo home run to right center field with one out in the inning to break the 0-0 tie. A double from Christina Gambino put the Colonels back in scoring position and Mia Lussier drove in Gambino with a single to left putting Wilkes up by a score of 2-0.

Top 5: A walk and an error puts runners on for Emily McGrath who homers to deep center field. Ally Paskas followed the McGrath drive with her second blast of the game to left field. The back to back home runs give Wilkes a 6-0 lead.

Bottom 5: Doubles from Kayla Rhome and Sara Stauffer put Hazleton on the board. After a passed ball put Stauffer on third, Kaitlyn Kaluzny scores the sacrifice fly to cut the Colonels lead to 6-2.

Top 7: Wilkes adds four insurance runs to put the game all but out of reach for the Lady Lions. Three free passes load the bases for the Colonels and singles from Brooke Limeberry and Christina Gambino inflict the damage to put Wilkes up 10-2.

Bottom 7: Stauffer attempts to rally the Lady Lions, blasting a two run home run to center field, but the deficit remains to large to overcome. Wilkes picks up three outs to win the game 10-4.

Behind the Box Score:

• Wilkes' four through eight hitters collect all seven hits for the Colonels, driving in eight runs.
• Rhome touched up for seven earned runs on seven hits, allows multiple home runs for the first time in 2015.
• Stauffer picks up third home run of the season, adds double and three RBI to lead the Lions offense.

Game 2: Penn State Hazleton 7, Wilkes University 6

Top 2: Wilkes gets on the board first with an RBI single from Kim Jones to score Sarah Birchmeier from second base.

Bottom 2: Hazleton loads the bases with a single, walk, and fielding error in the infield. Brianna Grunza launches a grand slam to left field to give the Lions their first lead of the day at 4-1.

Top 3: Wilkes retaliates with two runs in the top half. A double from Alex Hoops and walk to Ally Pasksas puts the Colonels in scoring position. Jenna Graziano singles to center to score hoops, and an error in the outfield plates the second Wilkes run of the inning, cutting the score to 4-3.

Bottom 3: A two out rally matches Wilkes' effort in the top half of the inning. With two on, Grunza again drives in a run, this time with a line drive single to right field. Kaitlyn Kaluzny follows that effort with ground rule double to push the margin back to three runs at 6-3.

Top 4: For the second time on the day Wilkes batters bash back-to-back home runs. With two outs, Mandy Seccia and Alex Hoops clout solo shots to bring the game back within reach at 6-5.

Top 6: Tensions mount for the Lady Lions defense as a pair of errors in the outfield plate the tying run for the Colonels.

Bottom 6: Grunza slaps her fourth hit of the ball game, doubling to left field to lead off the inning. After a hard fought walk to Kaluzny, Andrea Quillman lines a double to right field to put the Lady Lions back on top 7-6.

Top 7: After six innings of well pitched ball from Kayla Karchner, coach Mrozinski offers a change of pace for Colonel hitters bringing in Stauffer for the final three outs. After a pair of well played groundouts in the infield, Kaluzny snags a line drive for the final out to give Hazleton the victory in game two.

Behind the Box Score:

• Grunza collects season highs with four hits and five RBI, including her second home run of the season to lead the Hazleton offense.
• Karchner throws six strong innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and a walk to earn her fourth victory in 2015.
• Kaluzny has perfect game at the plate going three for three with a double and RBI.

Next Up: The Lady Lions return to Penn State University Athletic Conference play on Wednesday after a hard earned split out of conference. Hazleton welcomes Penn State Worthington Scranton for a pair of games slated to start at 2 PM at the Hazleton campus.