Hazleton blanked by Mississippi University for Women in round 3

DuBois, Pa. - The Lady Lions turned came up empty in round three of the USCAA Small College World Series on Tuesday afternoon, falling to the third seeded Owls of the Mississipi University for Women by the score of 5-0. Hazleton played well defensively behind six solid innings from senior Samantha Varela (Hazleton, Pa.) but never got the offense going, coming up with just five hits against the Owls. 

Varela and the defense stayed out of the big inning all afternoon limiting the Owls to single scores in the first, third and fourth innings although the combined efforts began to add up. Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth frame, Hazleton got their best opportunity to cut into the lead. With one out in the inning, freshman Madison Clark (Emmaus, Pa.) singled to the right for her second hit of the game. Freshman Caitlyn Ashelman (Macungie, Pa.) followed with a laser to right field but a fine play by the Owls right fielder threw Clark out attempting to go first to third on the play. Freshman Cassandra Passamonte (Bushkill, Pa.) made it three hits in a row for Hazleton in the bottom of the fourth but outfield assist proved crucial in squashing the rally.

Mississippi tacked on insurance runs in the sixth frame and the seventh to bolster their advantage to 5-0 over Hazleton while hurler Madison Scoggen shut down the potent Hazleton offense. Scoggen retired 10 straight Hazleton hitters to closeout the game and earn the shut-out victory. 

Outside of the fourth inning, Hazleton managed just two other hits in the game. Clark led the Lions with a 2-for-3 effort while sophomore teammate Kylee Sutton (Easton, Pa.) went 1-for-2 with a single in the third frame. Varela went six innings for Hazleton in the circle, allowing four runs on nine hits to pick up the loss. 

Next up: Hazleton remains in contention and faces the winner of the Brandywine vs. Judson game. That matchup is slated for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Heindl Field.