Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team used a pair of strong pitching performances to sweep Albright College on Monday, March 31. The Lions picked up an 8-0 mercy rule victory in the opener before earning a 1-0 rain-shortened victory in the nightcap.

The Lions (7-7 Overall) struck first, scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Kylie Krauss led off the inning with a single and then stole second to move into scoring position. Anna Laughlin smacked a triple into the right center gap, allowing Krauss to easily score. Jaredis Flores kept the rally going, belting a double into the right center gap, bringing home a second run.

Paige Brightwell capitalized on the lead, putting on an excellent pitching performance. She held Albright (3-16 Overall) to no runs on three hits while striking out four in her six innings of action in the circle.

Berks grew their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Krauss started the inning with a single and Peyton Vivian drew a walk to put a pair of runners on base. Laughlin once again came through in a big spot, blasting a double into left center field, scoring another run. Flores then hit a sharp ground ball on the right side of the infield, allowing Vivian to score. Maura Gorman added another run, lining a single into right field that put Berks ahead 5-0.

The Lions looked to close out the victory in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ashlyn Sherwood started the rally by popping a single through the right side. Later in the inning after Sherwood advanced to third, Krauss drilled a double through the left side, bringing in a run. Later in the inning with runners on second and third, Peyton
Vivian hit a ground ball that allowed Krauss to score and then a throwing error on the play, allowed Weil to cross home plate. That run put Berks ahead 8-0, securing the mercy rule victory.

Berks quickly reset for game two, with bad weather on the horizon. The Lions turned to starting pitcher Mallory Duff, who put on another dominant pitching performance. She kept Albright for having a base runner in the first three innings, in all throwing 5.1 innings, allowing only one hit.

The Lions offense slowed as well, but they finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. Laughlin started the inning off by lining a single through the left side. Flores kept the roll going, lifting a single into left field. Laurel Zubler put the Lions on the board, lining a single into center field that allowed a run to score.

Berks shut down Albright quickly in the top of the fifth inning, making the game official. Heavy rains and lightning moved in, forcing the game to be called in the top of the sixth inning, with Berks holding a 1-0 advantage.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will open United East play when they host Penn St. Abington on Wednesday, April 2. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

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