Lady Lions swept by Shawnee State in pair of pitcher's duels

Titusville, Fl. - Lady Lion pitching allowed just four combined runs in the afternoon double-header with Shawnee State University, but managed just four hits and one run scored in the contests, falling in both games to the NAIA institution on day three of softball in Titusville, Fl.

Game 1: Shawnee State University 2, Penn State Hazleton 0

Freshman Samantha Varela (Hazleton, Pa.) allowed just one hit in five of six innings pitched in game one of the double-header, but a three hit fifth inning pushed a pair of scores across for Shawnee and that was all the Bears would need. SSU pitching kept Hazleton off the scoreboard despite allowing eight base runners. The Lions worked five free passes to threaten the Shawnee defense in several innings, but managed just three hits and were unable to cash in on the base paths.

Top 1st

Freshman Noelle Bergerstock (Muncy, Pa.), freshman Teddi White (Parsipanny, Nj.) and Sam Varela worked consecutive walks to load the bases and putting early pressure on Shawnee pitching, but Morgan Conrad struck out the next two hitters to escape the inning unblemished.

Top 4th

Hazleton loads the bases again with a pair of walks and single from sophomore Britani Esser (Willingboro, Nj.). Once again Conrad works her way out of damage, this time inducing a pair of ground balls to retire the side and keep the game tied at 0-0.

Bottom 5th

Varela struck out the first two hitters, but a pair of singles left the Lions in trouble with runners at second and third base. Tara Duncan came to the plate for the Bears, singling up the middle and driving in both Shawnee runs to break the stalemate and tally the winning scores, 2-0 in favor of Shawnee State.

Top Performers

Kaitlyn Gliech went 2-3 at the plate with a run scored and Tara Duncan went 1-3 including the game-winning two RBI single in the fifth inning to lead Shawnee hitters.

Morgan Conrad pitched seven strong shutout innings allowing just three hits to Hazleton hitters. The pitcher struck out out seven and walked five in the winning effort.

Sam Varela pitched six innings for Hazleton allowing two runs on just four hits. Varela struck out five batters while walking two in the loss.

Britani Esser, and sophomore Sara Stuaffer (Mifflinburg, Pa.) provided Hazleton with a pair of singles while Teddi White added a double for the Lions only three hits in the ballgame.

Game 2: Shawnee State University 2, Penn State Hazleton 1

Sophomore Kayla Rhome allowed two 2 runs on four hits in the first two innings facing Shawnee State hitters, then settled in for five innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits the rest of the way. The Bears pitching held Hazleton without a hit until freshman Haley Trasacco delivered an RBI double in the bottom of the seventh to break up the no-hitter and give the Lions a chance to tie the game, but Hazleton would strand Trasacco at second as Shawnee picked up the final out to win the game 2-1 and sweep the afternoon series.

Top 1st

Tara Duncan singled to reach base and advanced to second on a walk. Peighton Williams singled to score the game's opening run and give Shawnee a 1-0 lead.

Top 2nd

Megan Shupert was hit by Rhome to reach base, then stole second to get into scoring position. Kaitlyn Gliech drove in Shupert with a base hit to increase the Bears advantage to 2-0.

Bottom 7th

Sam Varela found her way to first base on a dropped pop fly to the pitcher to give Hazleton life in the final frame and then advanced to second base on a ground out. After being held hitless for six and two thirds innings, Trasacco drilled a line drive over the right fielder, scoring Varela and cutting the lead to just one. With two outs, freshman Vanessa Michael (Bloomsburg, Pa.) entered the game and hit a liner up the middle, but the second baseman snagged the liner to douse the Lions hope for a late comeback.

Top Performers

Williams and Gliech collected one hit and one RBI each to lead the Shawnee offense. Tara Duncan went 2-4 for the Bears with a run scored to round out SSU's top hitters.

Miranda Pauley pitched four innings of no hit ball, striking out one to pick up the win for Shawnee. McKenzie Whittaker came in for relief work in the fifth inning, tossing three innings for the save, allowing one unearned run on the double to Trasacco in the seventh.

Kayla Rhome (Marysville, Pa.) allowed two runs in the first two innings, then shut down the Bears offense the rest of the way. Rhome allowed six hits and two walks while striking out eight batters in the loss.

Haley Trasacco delivered Halzeton's only hit and RBI. The freshman went 1-2 with a walk on a tough day at the dish for Hazleton hitters.

Next Up

The Lions wrap up their Florida tour with one final double header on Thursday. Hazleton faces Iowa Wesleyan at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday to cap this week's action.