Rhome named to USCAA National All-Tournament Team

Akron, Oh. - Sophomore hurler Kayla Rhome (Marysville, Pa.) wrapped up her career in a Lady Lion uniform with a stellar week at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's Softball National Championships where the Lady Lions finished fifth out of the top ten teams in the country. For her outstanding effort, the USCAA awarded Rhome one of 10 spots on the 2016 National Championships All-Tournament Team. 

Rhome tossed three games for Hazleton earlier this week at Firestone Stadium, earning a 2-1 overall record from the circle with wins against the third seeded New Hampshire Technical Institute and the fifth seeded College of St. Joseph's (Vt.). In 21.1 innings of work, the sophomore allowed just two earned runs, striking out 18 batters for the week.

In Hazleton's opening round extra frame win over NHTI, Rhome threw eight innings, surrendering just one unearned run to the Lynx and out-lasting the USCAA's top pitcher. Rhome followed up the impressive victory with another outstanding effort against the second seeded Carlow University. The Hazleton hurler tossed six shut-out innings against the Celtics before a seventh inning rally led to a Lion's loss in the second round. 

In her final trip to the circle, the sophomore was light's out in the victory over the Saints from Rutland, Vt. Rhome shut-out St. Joseph's for the first five innings of play, striking out the side in the third frame. After a run by the Saints in the sixth inning closed the gap to just a one run advantage for the Lions, the sophomore rebounded to retire the side in the seventh, earning her second victory of the tournament and a fifth place finish for Hazleton. The hurler finished the outing with a complete game, allowing one run on six hits and striking out a career high 12 opponents. 

2016 USCAA Softball National Championships All-Tournament Team

Tournament MVP – Sarah Burnham, Sr., Pitcher,  St. Mary Of The Woods