No. 5 Lady Lions pick up first win at USCAA Nationals over familiar foe
Akron, OH - The Lady Lions regained momentum at the Small College World Series with a victory against familiar foe, PSU Schuylkill. After being suspended in the second inning on Monday night, Hazleton hit the field early Tuesday morning looking to earn a victory and advance in the tournament. The Lady Lions jumped out to big lead, but Schuykill refused to go quietly, chipping away at an eight run deficit, but Hazleton held on to earn its third win against Schuylkill in 2015 by a score of 9-7.
Penn State Hazleton 9, Penn State Schuylkill 7
Bottom 1: Erin Luckenbill doubles to score Tabitha Dusel, taking the early 1-0 lead.
Top 2: With rain beginning to fall, Hazleton starts a rally with two outs in the inning. Three straight hits with runners on score five runs in the frame including a two RBI single from Leanna Lagowski and capped by a two run home run from Brianna Grunza.
Top 3: Hazleton loads the bases with one out when Britani Esser is hit by a pitch to drive in a run. A costly error in the outfield that could have ended the inning plates two more runs for the Lions and Brandi Grunza punishes Schuykill for the mistake with an RBI single to put the Lions up 9-1 through three innings.
Bottom 4: Schuylkill gets back in the ballgame when Marcella Scheeler drives in three with a home run to right center field. Hazleton remains on top 9-4.
Bottom 5: Schuylkill put the pressure on Hazleton with a walk and four hits off Kayla Rhome. Kait Boyer drives in the last of Schuykill's three runs in the fifth inning with an RBI single to left field, cutting the Hazleton lead to 9-7.
Bottom 7: Sara Stuaffer enters the game in relief with one runner aboard and one out in the inning. Stauffer allows one hit with two outs, but induces a fly ball to right field to close the door on Schuylkill.
Behind the Box Score:
- Brianna Grunza's home run in the second inning ends a six game homerless streak for Hazleton, their longest drought of the season.
- Rhome surrenders eight hits in six and a third innings of work, allows six earned runs but hangs on to win her 13th game of the season.
Next Up: The Lady Lions advance in the loser's bracket to face St. Joseph's of Brooklyn, NY.