Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team swept Gwynedd Mercy University in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 22. The Lions took game one 3-0 before picking up a thrilling 4-3 win in game two.

The Lions (5-7 Overall) got on the board first, scoring in the bottom of the third inning. Ashlyn Sherwood started the rally by using her speed to single to first base. After Sherwood stole second base, Kylie Krauss hit a sharp ground ball, forcing an error that allowed Sherwood to score.

One run was plenty for starting pitcher Paige Brightwell, as she put on her best performance of the season so far. She held the Griffins (2-13 Overall) to only two hits while striking out five.

The Lions looked to build on their lead in the fifth inning. Mallory Duff led off the inning by driving a single through the left side. Alexa Burkey came on to pinch run for Duff and she capitalized on a sacrifice bunt by Brightwell, racing over to third base. Sherwood then hit a ground ball that allowed Burkey to score easily. Peyton Vivian provided an offensive spark in the sixth inning, blasting a solo home run over the left field fence.

Berks held Gwynedd Mercy to only one base runner over the final two innings, securing the 3-0 victory.

The Lions looked to keep their momentum going in game two, but they found themselves down 2-0 after the first inning. Berks chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the second inning. Autumn Weil led off the inning with a single through the left side, and then she stole second base to put herself in scoring position. Laurel Zubler then laid down a sacrifice bunt, allowing Weil to move over to third base. She then capitalized on a wild pitch, scoring to bring Berks back within one.

Berks struck again in the bottom of the third inning, loading the bases with two outs in the inning. Weil came through again in big spot, punching a single through the left side, that brought home a run and tied the game at two. The Lions grabbed their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sherwood once again got the offense going, driving a single up the middle. She then stole second base and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Naomi Fay lifted a fly ball into left field, allowing Sherwood to score and put Berks ahead 3-2.

The Griffins leveled the score in the top of the fifth inning, tying the game at three. Berks looked to reclaim the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Weil led off the inning by walking and stealing second base. Zubler executed a great sacrifice bunt allowing Weil to move over third base. Sherwood once again came through for the Lions, lining an RBI single into center field, putting Berks ahead 4-3. The Lions shut down the Griffins in the top of the seventh inning, with Brightwell striking out the final two batters to secure her second save of the season.

The Lions offense was led by Weil, who went 2-2 with an RBI and two runs scored. Sherwood continued her strong offensive outing, going 2-3 driving in the game-winning RBI and scoring a run. Maura Gorman got the start in the circle, allowing three runs, one earned, on six hits. Duff came on and pitched 1.2 innings, not allowing any hits during her time in the circle.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will hit the road, traveling to face Wilkes University on Wednesday, March 26. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

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