CHAMBERSBURG, PA (April 18, 2011) – The Penn State Berks softball team held off a Wilson College rally to pick up an 8-5 win in the opener of a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader on Monday afternoon. Wilson scored early and often in a 13-7 win in the nightcap.
The doubleheader was the final regular season NEAC contests for the Nittany Lions, who currently sit in third place in the conference standings. The Phoenix sit atop the division with a 16-2 NEAC record, followed by Penn State Harrisburg (12-4 NEAC South), who holds the season tiebreaker over Berks (16-15 overall, 13-7 NEAC South).
In the game one win, the Lions jumped out to a 6-0 lead through the first three innings. The Phoenix, down 8-1, mounted a comeback in their final at-bats with four runs before Larissa Tenley stopped the bleeding. Tenley, who started the game, was called on to pitch after Wilson started off the inning with two runs on a walk and two hits. Tenley recorded the save after finally managing to record the final three outs.
Devon Denker earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of relief. She allowed only one hit and two walks, while striking out one.
Casey Hafer and Alyssa Stahly each had two RBI in the winning effort.
The second game saw both teams taking advantage of fielding miscues. The two teams combined for nearly as many errors (12) as hits (15).
Berks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Wilson countered with three of their own. In the bottom of the second the Phoenix added five more and held a 10-6 lead after three innings.
Stahly had two RBI and Brittany Hicks recorded one for the Nittany Lions. Wilson was led by center fielder Tara Fields. She went 2 for 3 with five RBI and three runs scored.
The Nittany Lions will host Albright tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. and wrap up the regular season with a non-conference doubleheader against Alvernia on Tuesday, April 26.
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