Reading, PA - The Penn State Berks Softball team got back on track, sweeping Lancaster Bible in United East action on Saturday, Mar. 30. The Lions took game one 7-0 and then powered to a 7-3 victory in game two.  

GAME 1 

The Lions got their offense rolling in the third inning, starting with Naomi Fay who drove a single into center field and then stole second base. Peyton Vivian then drove in the team's first run, blasting a single through the left side. Paige Brightwell smacked a single into left field, allowing Vivian to hustle around the bases and score.  

Berks increased their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brightwell started the rally, lining a single into left field. Lauren Ziegler reached on an error by a Chargers outfielder, advancing to third while Brightwell was able to hustle around the bases and score. Ashley Thomas brought home Ziegler, smacking a single down the left field line.  

The Lions got a strong pitching performance from Brightwell who pitched all 7.0 innings, only allowing two hits while striking out 13 Chargers batters. Berks put the game away in the bottom of the sixth inning. Savannah Wilson singled up the middle and then swiped second base. Fay singled into left center, allowing Wilson to score, giving the Lions a 5-0 lead. Vivian launched a double into right center, scoring Fay. Brightwell closed out the rally by reaching on an error that allowed Vivian to score. In the circle, Brightwell struck out two of the final three batters to secure the 7-0 victory.  

GAME 2 

Berks jumped out to an early lead in game two, scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Hayden Perrone led off the inning with a single through the right side and then swiping second to move into scoring position. Fay lined a double down the left field line, allowing Perrone to score. Vivian launched a double into left field, plating the Lions second run of the game. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Maura Gorman blasted a single up the middle. Thomas closed out the scoring popping a single into left field to give Berks a 4-0 lead.  

The Chargers notched a run in the third inning to cut into the deficit, but the Lions had an immediate response. With two runners in scoring position, Gorman singled into left field, allowing a run to score. Thomas drove in another run, lifting a sacrifice fly into left field, making the score 6-1. Ziegler drove in another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, driving an RBI double into left center field.  

In the circle for Berks was Mallory Duff, who pitched all 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits while racking up nine strikeouts. The Chargers tried to make one last push, scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning, but could not close the gap as Berks secured the 7-3 victory.  

WHO'S NEXT  
The Lions continue conference play, traveling to face Gallaudet University in a doubleheader on Thursday, Apr. 4. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.  

STAY CONNECTED  
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