READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks faced off against Penn State Brandywine in a doubleheader on Saturday, suffering losses in both games, with final scores of 8-4 and 5-2.
In the first game, Penn State Brandywine took an early lead in the first inning with Lexi Bussenger scoring after being hit by a pitch, followed by an RBI double from Emma McElroy and an RBI single from Ava Craddock. The inning concluded with a score of 2-0 in favor of Penn State Brandywine. In the third inning, the Blue & White responded when
Samantha Harple tripled to left center, and
Emma Infantino brought her home with a sacrifice fly, making the score 2-1.
The fourth inning saw Penn State Brandywine extend its lead with two more runs driven in by Ava Craddock's single, bringing the score to 4-1. In the fifth inning, they added another run through a fielder's choice RBI by Lexi Bussenger, making it 5-1. The seventh inning was eventful, with Penn State Brandywine scoring three runs, including an RBI single by Kaylee Mushinski. Berks mounted a late comeback attempt with
Autumn Weil doubling and
Ashlynn McCardle and Harple following with RBI singles.
Paige Brightwell also contributed an RBI single, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. The final score was 8-4 in favor of Penn State Brandywine.
Samantha Harple excelled by scoring two runs and recording four hits, including a triple, while adding one RBI.
Paige Brightwell contributed two hits with one RBI and pitched a complete game, striking out four batters over 7 innings.
Autumn Weil added to the offense with a double among her two hits, scoring one run.
Emma Infantino delivered one hit and one RBI through a sacrifice fly.
Brightwell pitched a complete game, throwing 7 innings against Penn State Brandywine. She faced 40 batters, allowing 13 hits and 8 runs, with 6 of those earned. Brightwell recorded 4 strikeouts and issued 3 walks over the course of 134 pitches, 89 of which were strikes. Despite the loss, she demonstrated resilience by inducing 12 groundouts and contributing 4 assists in the field.
In the second game, Penn State Brandywine took the lead in the fourth inning when Shelby DeCillis singled, followed by Madie Culbertson's two-run homer to left field, concluding the inning with a score of 2-0. In the fifth inning, Berks responded. After
Shayna Morales singled,
Alexa Burkey entered as a pinch runner.
Mallory Johnson then hit a two-run homer to center field, tying the game at 2-2, marking a significant milestone as it was the first home run of Johnson's career.
Penn State Brandywine regained the lead in the sixth inning. Shelby DeCillis doubled, and Culbertson hit another home run, adding two more runs to their tally, making it 4-2. In the seventh inning, they extended their lead with a double by Culbertson, driving in one more run. Penn State Brandywine secured the win over the Blue & White with a final score of 5-2.
Mallory Johnson led the offense in the second game by hitting a home run and driving in two runs.
Shayna Morales contributed with two hits.
Paige Brightwell added a hit in three at-bats, showcasing her presence at the plate.
Emma Infantino supported the defense with three assists from her shortstop position.
Johnson pitched 6 innings for Berks, allowing 4 earned runs on 10 hits, including 2 home runs, while striking out 2 batters and walking 1. Johnson's performance included 106 pitches, with 71 strikes.
Maura Gorman relieved Johnson and pitched 1 inning, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits, with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts over 27 pitches.
WHO'S NEXT
The Nittany Lions are set to face Cedar Crest College on Wednesday, April 1, at 3 p.m. in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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