READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks had a mixed doubleheader against Cedar Crest College on Wednesday afternoon. The Nittany Lions secured a walk-off 1-0 victory in game one, highlighted by a dominant pitching performance from
Paige Brightwell, who tallied 13 strikeouts across seven innings.
In the seventh inning of the first game, the Blue & White clinched their victory over the Falcons.
Autumn Weil drew a walk and then stole second base, setting up a scoring opportunity.
Shayna Morales capitalized on this moment with a double to right center, driving Weil home for the game's only run. The inning concluded with the home team leading 1-0, which ultimately became the final score.
Shayna Morales recorded a double and drove in a run, contributing to the team's offensive efforts. Brightwell pitched a complete game shutout, striking out 13 batters while allowing only five hits.
Natasha Hornung reached base three times, collecting a hit and two walks in the contest. Weil scored a run and stole a base, adding to the team's overall performance on the field. Brightwell's standout performance improved her season record to 3-4.
However, in game two, Penn State Berks fell to Cedar Crest with a final score of 12–2. The Nittany Lions managed six hits in the contest, with
Shayna Morales and
Emma Infantino each contributing an RBI.
Cedar Crest took an early lead in the first inning, scoring four runs due to a combination of solid hitting and errors that contributed to two unearned runs. Kaitlyn Stock doubled, while Kylie Mastillo and Laney Ferraro each added RBIs. After the first inning, the Falcons led 4–1, with
Natasha Hornung driving in
Haylie Mauger for the Blue & White.
In the third inning, Madison Nadasi scored for Cedar Crest on a triple by Kylie Mastillo. Berks responded with
Shayna Morales scoring on an RBI single by
Emma Infantino, leaving the Falcons with a 5–2 lead after the third inning. The fifth inning saw Cedar Crest extend its lead significantly. Madison Nadasi started with a single, leading to the Falcons scoring seven runs, including a three-RBI double by Brooke Trentler. The inning concluded with Cedar Crest ahead 12–2.
Natasha Hornung recorded two hits and one RBI, while
Emma Infantino matched this performance with two hits and one RBI, demonstrating their capabilities at the plate.
Haylie Mauger added to the team's scoring by crossing home plate once and stealing a base.
Mallory Johnson pitched for 4 2/3 innings, facing 28 batters and allowing nine hits, eight earned runs, and three walks while striking out four. Johnson threw a total of 92 pitches, with 57 being strikes.
Maura Gorman contributed in relief, pitching 1/3 inning, giving up one hit and one earned run, with one walk in her brief appearance. Despite the combined efforts, the pitching staff faced challenges against the Falcons' lineup.
WHO'S NEXT
Berks will face Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. at Middletown, Pennsylvania.
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