READING, PA (April 9, 2011) – Larissa Tenley took care of business in the pitcher's circle and at the plate in the Penn State Berks softball team's 18-0 win over Gallaudet University in the opener. Berks fell, 8-3, in the second game of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader at Hintz Athletic Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Nittany Lions are now 11-14 overall and 8-6 in the NEAC Southern Division, while the Bison move to 3-15 and 1-7 in the conference.
In the first game, Tenley allowed just two hits over five shutout innings as the Lions ended things in the fifth inning due to the eight-run mercy rule. The Lions belted out 14 hits, including seven by the six through nine part of the lineup. All nine batters recorded at least one run scored and one RBI.
The junior right-hander allowed a single to Nicole O'Malley to start the game and then retired the next 12 batters in order. In the top of the fifth, she allowed a single to start the inning and the Bison had their first runner in scoring position after two wild pitches. Tenley protected the shutout by striking out the next three batters to end the game.
Tenley was a perfect 3 for 3 at the dish and matched a career-high with three runs scored. Shari Lynn Kluth tied a season-high with her three runs batted in. Vicki Graver, Marissa Ruggiero and Alyssa Stahly each collected two hits. Casey Hafer collected two hits in both games, all of which went for doubles to give her a team leading nine this season.
The Nittany Lions could have used some of that offense in the night cap, where they finished with just six hits. The Bison recorded 10 hits, including four for extra bases.
The Lions got all three of their runs in the third inning to cut the deficit to 5-3. Hafer led off with a double and scored on a single by Brittany Hicks. Dayna Harrison had a bunt single to score Ruggiero, who reached earlier on a walk. Hicks and Harrison then pulled off a first and third double steal to get the Lions third run across.
Gallaudet's Alicia Johnson allowed just two hits the rest of the way to help the Bison to their first NEAC win. Johnson also had a 3 for 4 showing at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Casey McCullough added two hits and two RBI, while Alicia Balzer had two hits and drove in a run.
The Nittany Lions will travel to Penn State Abington tomorrow for a NEAC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
Â
