Toilsome seventh inning spells defeat for Hazleton vs. NHTI

Akron, OH - Penn State Hazleton took the field for their third game on Tuesday in USCAA National Tournament action. After winning two games earlier in the day, Hazleton drew the New Hampshire Technical Institute and needed a win to continue their championship hopes. The Lady Lions battled hard, coming back from an early three run deficit to play even softball through six innings, but miscues in the field combined with potent hitting from NHTI spelled defeat for the Lady Lions as they fell to the Lynx by a final score of 8-3.

New Hampshire Technical Institute 8, Penn State Hazleton 3

Top 1: NHTI loads the bases with no outs in the inning. Sara Stauffer and the Lions defense work their way out of trouble to, retiring the next three batters to end the threat in the first.

Top 2: A two out triple by Masha Lange, scores Lindsey Hampson from first base to put NHTI up 1-0.

Top 3: Joardyn Douillette singles with two outs to drive in a runner from second base. An error in the Hazleton infield extends the inning, leading to a RBI single from Hampson to increase the NHTI lead to 3-0.

Bottom 3: Stauffer doubles to lead off the inning for Hazleton and is brought in to score on Kaitlyn Kaluzny's ground ball single through the middle infield. A single and stolen base from Andrea Quillman puts runners at first and third when Britani Esser brings both runners in on a double to left field, knotting the score at 3-3.

Top 6: The Lynx break the tie as Lange singles, steals second and advances to third when the throw reaches the Lions outfield. Lange scores on a ground ball out to the shortstop, putting NHTI up 4-3.

Top 7: The Lady Lions defense comes apart in the seventh frame as NHTI plates four insurance runs on three hits and three errors by the Hazleton defense. Once again Lange inflicts damage, slapping an inside the park home run to cap the four run inning, leading to the Lynx 8-3 victory.

Behind the Box Score:

• First team All-American Masha Lange comes through for NHTI, going four for four at the plate with a, home run, two RBI and two runs scored. 
• Hampson moves from third base to throw four no-hit innings of relief to earn the win. Hampson added three hits, an RBI and two runs scored in the winning effort.
• Quillman goes two for three at the plate with a run scored, extended her current hit streak to 11 games.
• Stauffer, Kayla Karchner, and Kayla Rhome combine for just three earned runs in seven innings.

Next Up: The Lady Lion's second loss in tournament play dashes their hopes of a USCAA title. Hazleton will play on Wednesday at noon in the fifth place consolation game against Briarcliffe College who issued the Lady Lions their first loss in USCAA action on Monday. Tune in tomorrow as Andrea Quillman and Erin Dougherty wrap up their outstanding careers as they play their final game in a Lady Lion uniform.