Washington, D.C.- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team capitalized on some late game heroic to take down Gallaudet University on Wednesday, April 16. The Lions took the opener 4-0 before earning a 9-1 victory in the nightcap.
 
The Lions (17-7 Overall, 10-0 UE) and the Bison (3-25 Overall, 0-10 UE) were locked in a pitcher's duel, with neither team being able to create scoring chances. The Lions were led by starting pitcher Paige Brightwell, and she shut out Gallaudet, holding the Bison to six hits while striking out nine.
 
Berks finally got their offense going in the top of the seventh inning. Brightwell helped her own cause, launching a double into right field. Ashlyn Sherwood laid down a bunt and then capitalized on an error, putting runners on the corners. Namoi Fay laid down another bunt and while she was able to reach base safely, Brightwell was unable to advance, but the bases were now loaded. Haylie Mauger stepped to the plate and crushed a grand slam, her first career home run, over the left fence giving Berks a 4-0 advantage. Brightwell worked out of a jam in the seventh inning, earning the victory for the Lions.
 
The Lions kept their momentum going from their thrilling game one victory, jumping out to an early lead in game two. Mauger led off the game by drawing a walk and later stealing third to move herself into scoring position. Anna Laughlin lined a single through the right side, allowing Mauger to score. Later in the inning Laughlin would score to give Berks a 2-0 lead. Gallaudet answered back, scoring in the bottom of the first inning to cut their deficit down to one.
 
Berks struck again in the top of the second inning. Kylie Krauss led off the inning by smashing a triple into the left center field gap. Sherwood laid down another sacrifice bunt, allowing Krauss to score. Fay kept the rally going, hitting a single and stealing second to put herself in scoring position. Peyton Vivian singled up the middle, allowing Fay to score. In the third inning, Autumn Weil cracked a double into the left center field gap and would later scoring on an RBI single by Krauss.
 
The Lions kept putting runs on the board, extending their lead in the top of the fourth inning. Berks drew three-straight walks loaded the bases for Mallory Duff, and she drove a single down the left field line allowing two runners to score. Weil would later score on a passed ball.
 
The Blue & White looked to close out game two early, scoring in the top of the fifth inning. Fay walked and then swiped second and third to put herself in scoring position. Vivian hammered a double down the left field line, allowing Fay to score. This was Vivian's 150^th career hit, becoming the seventh player in school history to reach this mark. Starting pitcher Maura Gorman shut the Bison down in the bottom of the fifth inning securing the victory. Gorman finished the game with only one run allowed on three hits while recording five strikeouts.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will return home and celebrate Senior Day before facing Lancaster Bible College on Saturday, April 19. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

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