READING, PA (March 24, 2011) - The Penn State Berks softball team dropped a pair of non-conference contests to Franklin & Marshall on a chilly Thursday afternoon at Hintz Athletic Field.
The Diplomats (12-5) cruised to wins by scores of 10-2 and 16-2, both games ended in five innings.
Freshman outfielder Shari Lynn Kluth paced the Nittany Lion (3-8) offense from the leadoff spot. She went 2-for-3 in both games and finished with one run scored. Larissa Tenley had both of the RBIs in the opening game, while Casey Hafer and Dayna Harrison accounted for the scoring production in the nightcap.
Brittany Hicks, Harrison and Marissa Ruggiero each recorded two hits on the day.
Devon Denker kept Berks within striking distance over the first three innings of game two. Her final line was 3.0 innings, two runs – both unearned – and one strikeout. The junior right-hander also went an inning in the first game, allowing just an earned run and registering a pair of strikeouts.
Franklin & Marshall were powered by a three-run homerun in the opener by Liz Chudzik. In the second game, Julie Jefferson hit a two-run homer to left field. Nicole Casey finished with 12 strikeouts and earned the win from the pitcher's circle.
The Nittany Lions will open up their North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) season with a pair of home doubleheaders this weekend. On Saturday, they will face St. Elizabeth College and Sunday Wilson College. Both games will begin at 1 p.m.
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