Owings Mills, MD- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team continued its 12-game winning streak by sweeping Notre Dame of Maryland University in a United East doubleheader on Monday, April 14.
 
The Lions (15-7 Overall, 8-0 UE) struck first, scoring in the top of the third inning. Naomi Fay and Haylie Mauger recorded back-to-back singles to put a pair of runners on base. Anna Laughlin then knocked a single into the outfield, allowing Fay to score and give Berks a 1-0 lead. The Gators (5-13 Overall, 5-4 UE) answered back, using a solo home run to level the score at one.
 
Berks retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Fay led off the inning by blasting a double and then advancing the third on a wild pitch. Mauger lifted a sacrifice fly into center field, allowing Fay to tag up and score. Vivian started the rally again drawing a walk. Laughlin then crushed a two-run home run over the left field fence, putting Berks ahead 4-1. This was her first home run as a member of the Penn State Berks softball team.
 
The Blue & White added on to their advantage in the top of the sixth inning, grabbing full control of the game. With Laurel Zubler on first base, Ashlyn Sherwood launched a double, that moved both players into scoring position. Fay then hit a ground ball to short stop, allowing Zubler to score. The Lions then loaded the base for Laughlin, and she delivered with a double that cleared the base path, putting Berks ahead 8-1. NDMU cut into their deficit in the bottom of the inning, smacking a three-run home run to pull back within four runs.
 
Berks slammed the door shut in the top of the seventh inning. The Lions quickly loaded the base for Fay, who then blasted a two-run single. Peyton Vivian added an RBI single, putting the Lions ahead 11-4. Laughlin then reached on an error that allowed two more runs to score, giving Berks a 13-4 lead.
 
Paige Brightwell put on a solid pitching performance, throwing all 7.0 innings for the Lions. Brightwell allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out nine Gators. The Lions offense was led by Laughlin, who finished the game by going 3-5 with a double and home run, resulting in six RBIs. Fay also had a great showing, going 3-4 with a double, three RBIs and four runs scored.
 
The Lions looked to keep their momentum going in game two, striking in the top of the second inning. Lauren Ziegler led off by drawing a walk. Autumn Weil then drove a single into center field, putting runners on first and second. Later in the inning, Kylie Krauss lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Ziegler to tag up and score. Berks would then load the bases for Mauger, who lined a single through the right side, allowing two runs to score, giving Berks a 3-0 lead.
 
In the circle, Mallory Duff slowed the power NDMU offense, holding them to only three hits while striking out three Gators.
 
The Blue & White looked to tack on some insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Mauger led off the inning by lining a double down the left field line. Vivian then singled up the middle, putting runners on the corners. Laughlin continued her big day, crushing a double to left field that allowed one run to score. Later in the inning, Weil used a sacrifice fly that allowed Laughlin to tag up and score. Berks shut down NDMU in the bottom of the seventh inning, earning a 5-0 victory.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will close out their road trip by heading to the Nation's Capital to take on Gallaudet University in a United East showdown on Wednesday, April 16. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

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