Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Softball Team concluded the regular season by sweeping rival Penn College on Sunday, April 27. The Lions powered to a 10-5 victory in game one before earning a 5-4 extra innings victory over the Wildcats in game two.
 
The Lions (23-7 Overall, 16-0 UE) struck first, scoring in the bottom of the third inning. Naomi Fay led off the inning by driving a single through the right side and then stole second base to move into scoring position. Anna Laughlin drove a single up the middle, allowing Fay to score. Jaredis Flores smashed a double into the left center field gap, allowing Laughlin to fly around the bases and score, giving Berks a 2-0. The Wildcats (24-13 Overall, 10-6 UE) plated a run in the top of the fourth inning, closing back within one run.
 
Berks erupted in the bottom of the fourth inning, stretching their advantage. Kylie Krauss started the inning, smashing a double to center field. Ashlyn Sherwood laid down a great bunt, reaching base and drawing an errant throw that allowed Krauss to score. Fay reached on a bunt single, stealing second base to put two runners in scoring position. Peyton Vivian smashed a double into center field, bringing home both runners and putting Berks ahead 5-1. Laughlin kept the rally going, lining a single into left field, allowing Vivian to score. After a pitching change by the Wildcats, Flores smashed another double, this time into right center field, scoring Laughlin and putting Berks ahead 7-1.
 
Penn College tried to climb back into the game, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth inning to close back within three runs. Berks immediately answered back in the bottom of the inning. The Lions loaded the bases for Fay and she capitalized, lifting a single into left field that brought in two more runs. Later in the inning, Laughlin bounced a single over the pitcher, allowing Berks to plate its 10^th run of the game.
 
Starting pitcher Paige Brightwell fought off a hard-hitting Penn College offense, holding the Wildcats to five runs on eight hits while posting five strikeouts. After Penn scored one run in the sixth inning, Brightwell retired the heart of the Wildcats order in the seventh inning to secure the 10-5 victory.
 
The Lions looked to finish off the regular season undefeated in conference play, jumping out to an early lead in game two. In the bottom of the second inning, Laurel Zubler reached base on a throwing error and then Krauss singled. Sherwood reached base on a fielder's choice, loading the bases. Haylie Mauger capitalized, hammering a double off the center field fence, clearing the bases and giving Berks a 3-0 lead.
 
Penn College answered back, scoring four runs in the top of the third inning to take their first lead of the game. Berks turned to pitcher Maura Gorman to slow down the Wildcats' offense, pitching 5.0 shutout innings, holding Penn College to only two hits.
 
Berks put runners on base through the next few innings, but they could not level the score and trailed by one heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Mauger led off the bottom of the seventh by driving a single up the middle and stealing second base. Mauger eventually moved over to third base, but the Lions were down to their last out. Flores came through lifting a single into left field that allowed Mauger to score a tie the game at four.
 
With the score tied, the game went into extra innings. Berks made a couple of key defensive plays to stop Penn College from scoring a run. Berks looked to complete the comeback victory in the bottom of the eighth inning. Alexa Burkey came on to pinch run at second base and the Krauss laid down a bunt single putting runners on the corners. Sherwood put down a squeeze bunt, allowing Burkey to score the game-winning run.
 
Berks has now clinched the top seed in the United East Championship Tournament, securing the home field advantage The Lions have now won 20 straight games, their longest winning streak since 2019 where they won 24 consecutive games.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will host the United East Second Round on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3. Berks will host the winner of the match-up between #8 Penn State Abington and #9 Notre Dame of Maryland University.

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