Kissimmee, FL- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team returned to action on day three of their spring break trip, taking on Utica University and Otterbein University. The Lions dropped both highly competitive contests, falling to Utica 4-3 and Otterbein 9-8.

The Lions (2-4 Overall) fell behind early as the Pioneers (4-2 Overall) scored in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. Berks answered back in the bottom of the fourth inning, making the most of a two-out rally. Anna Laughlin started the rally, crushing a double into the right center field gap. Autumn Weil followed by lifting a single into right field that allowed Laughlin to hustle around the bases and score.

Utica scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning to retake a 4-1 lead. The Lions looked to answer back in the home half of the inning. Mallory Duff got the action going with a single to right field. Alexa Burkey came on to pinch run, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Ashlyn Sherwood reached on an infield single putting runners on the corners. Sherwood took off for second on the next pitch and an errand throw allowed her to move to third and Burkey to score. Naomi Fay laid down a picture-perfect squeeze bunt, and Sherwood made a great slide to score, pulling Berks back within one run. The Lions would get runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, but could not complete the comeback, falling 4-3.

Laughlin led the offense, going 2-3 with a double and a run scored. Fay and Weil each collected an RBI, going 1-3. Laurel Zubler and Duff each collected hits. Paige Brightwell pitched 7.0 innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits while striking out four.

Berks once again got off to a slow start, as the Cardinals (4-2 Overall) scored four runs in the first two innings. The Lions offense finally found its footing in the fourth inning. Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for Hailey Mauger. Mauger popped the ball just out of the reach of the second baseman allowing a run to score. Fay then drew a walk, bringing home the second run of the inning. Kylie Krauss capitalized on a pitching change smacking a double into center field that plated two runs to level the score at four. Laughlin kept the hit parade going, banging a double into right center field, bringing home two more runs to give Berks their first lead of the day. Peyton Vivian tacked on one last run, with a double that scored Laughlin and made the score 7-4.

The Lions added another run in the top of the fifth inning. With the bases again loaded, Krauss knocked a single into left field that scored Maura Gorman. Otterbein recaptured the momentum, scoring twice in the fifth inning and three times in the sixth to rally back and retake a 9-8 lead. Berks would get a runner into scoring position in the seventh inning, but could not complete a late rally.

Krauss had a big game, going 2-5 with a double and three total RBIs. Laughlin also continued her hot start to the season, going 1-3 with two RBIs. Mauger had her best offensive performance of the season, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Vivian and Fay also drove in a run each.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will conclude their spring break trip by taking on Carlow University (PA) and DeSales University on Wednesday, March 12. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:00 AM.

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