Chambersburg, PA- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team remained undefeated in conference play, earning two shutout victories over Wilson College. The Lions picked up a 9-0 victory in five innings in game one before earning a 6-0 victory in game two.
 
The Lions (21-7 Overall, 14-0 UE) got off to a good start, striking in the top of the first inning. Haylie Mauger led off the game by reaching on a throwing error. Later in the inning, Anna Laughlin crushed a double into the right center field gap, putting runners on second and third. Jaredis Flores lined a single into center field, allowing both runners to score and Berks to grab the early 2-0 advantage.
 
Berks grabbed control of the game in the top of the second inning. Kylie Krauss led off the inning by driving a single down the third base line. After Krauss advanced to second, Naomi Fay laid down a great bunt, reaching with a single and putting runners on the corners. Mauger drew a walk, loading the bases for Peyton Vivian. Vivian blasted a single into right center field, allowing Krauss to score. A wild pitch then allowed the bases runners to move up with Fay scoring to put the Lions ahead 4-0. Laughlin kept the rally going, rocketing her second double of the game, this time to right field allowing two more runs to score. After a pitching change by the Phoenix (18-13 Overall, 7-7 UE) and a walk by Paige Brightwell, Flores lined a single up the middle, driving in Laughlin and giving Berks a 7-0 lead. Lauren Ziegler added one more run, reaching on an error that allowed Brightwell to score.
 
The Lions tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning. Krauss led off the inning with a single to left field and eventually moved over to third base. Mauger lifted a single into left field, allowing Krauss to score and give Berks a 9-0 lead.
 
Brightwell was in control in the circle, pitching all 5.0 innings, holding the Phoenix to only two hits while adding a strike out. Brightwell held the Phoenix to no hits through the first four innings and earned her eighth complete game shutout of the season, improving her overall record to 9-4.   
 
Berks' offense remained hot early in game two, giving the Lions the early lead. Mauger led off the game by drawing a walk. Vivian then drove a single up the middle, allowing Mauger to advance to third. Laughlin crushed a double off the left field fence, bringing home Mauger and putting two runners in scoring position. Flores hit a sharp ground ball to the short, allowing Vivian to score and put Berks ahead 2-0.
 
The Lions extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning. Ashlyn Sherwood got the offense going, laying down a bunt for a single. Haylie Mauger then reached on a fielding error that allowed the speedy Sherwood to score from first base.
 
Capitalizing on the early lead, starting pitcher Mallory Duff fended off Wilson's offensive attack holding the Phoenix scoreless, allowing only six hits. Duff is now 8-2 this season and has earned three shutout victories.
 
Berks took control of the game in the top of the sixth inning. Krauss started the rally knocking a single into right field. Sherwood picked up another bunt single, putting two runners on base. Fay moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, bringing Mauger to the plate. Mauger hammered a double off the left field fence, bringing home both runners. Vivian drilled a single up the middle, allowing Mauger to score and give Berks a 6-0 advantage.
 
The Lions have now won 18 straight games, their longest winning streak since 2019 where they won 24 consecutive games.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will return home and finish the regular season when they host Penn College on Saturday, April 26. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

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