KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Penn State Berks rallied to earn their first victory of the season on Sunday, securing a walk-off 3-2 victory over Dean College in extra-innings, followed by a tough 8-6 loss to Mount Saint Mary College (N.Y.).
In the first game against Dean, the Bulldogs took an early lead in the first inning with two runs. Sydnee Ramos doubled to right center, bringing in Xandra Silva, and Leah Chamberlain followed with a groundout that scored Ramos, putting Dean ahead.
Berks responded in the second inning with
Paige Brightwell walking and later scoring on a sharply hit ball by
Ashlynn McCardle, narrowing the score to 2-1 in favor of Dean. In the fifth inning,
Autumn Weil singled and stole second base, setting up
Emma Infantino's RBI single that tied the game at 2-2. Neither team could score in the sixth and seventh innings, sending the game to extra innings
In the top of the eighth inning,
Shayna Morales made a great defensive play throwing out a runner attempting to steal third base, keeping Dean off the scoreboard. The Nittany Lions looked to win the game in the bottom of the inning Brightwell was placed on second and then
Maura Gorman worked a walk to put runners on second and third. A wild pitch allowed both runners to move into scoring position. Morales then came through in the biggest spot of her young career, with an RBI single up the middle, securing the 3-2 victory.
Paige Brightwell pitched a complete game, striking out 11 batters while allowing just three hits over eight innings, earning the win. Morales collected three hits and drove in a run, significantly contributing to the team's offense. Infantino recorded a hit and an RBI, along with drawing a walk, while Weil added two hits and scored a run, enhancing the team's scoring opportunities. Brightwell maintained a WHIP of 0.50 with an efficient 82 pitches, 60 of which were strikes, evening her record at 1-1.
In their second game of the day, Berks faced Mount Saint Mary College (N.Y.) in a closely contested matchup. The Nittany Lions took an early lead as Infantino scored on a single by
Natasha Hornung, putting them ahead 1-0. However, the Knights quickly responded with two runs in the bottom half, taking a 2-1 lead.
Mount Saint Mary extended its advantage in the second inning, scoring three runs, including a two-run double from Grace MacDonald, bringing the score to 5-1. The third inning saw
Haylie Mauger's single and stolen base set up an RBI double from
Autumn Weil, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
The game remained scoreless through the fourth and fifth innings until the sixth, when the Knights capitalized on errors from the Blue & White to score three more runs, increasing their lead to 8-2.
Despite the deficit, Berks mounted a significant comeback in the seventh inning. Mauger scored on an RBI double from Weil, followed by Infantino's double that brought Weil home.
Maura Gorman and
Samantha Harple each contributed RBI singles, closing the gap to 8-6. The Nittany Lions would get the go ahead run to the plate, but could not capitalize, falling 8-6.
Autumn Weil recorded three hits and two RBIs, including two doubles, while Infantino scored twice and added two hits, one of which was a double, along with an RBI. Mauger crossed the plate twice and collected two hits.
Mallory Johnson pitched a complete game for Berks, working through 6 innings and throwing 119 pitches while striking out four batters.
WHO'S NEXT
The Blue & White will face Russell Sage College and Aurora College on Monday, March 9 in Kissimmee, Florida.
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