WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Penn State Berks (6-14, 4-6 UEC) fell to Penn College (21-3, 6-0 UEC) in a doubleheader matchup, losing the first game 9-0 and narrowly dropping the second game 3-2 at Lumber Yards on Saturday.
In the first game, Penn State Berks struggled offensively, being held hitless and striking out 11 times, while Penn College recorded 15 hits. The game remained scoreless through the first three innings as both teams' defenses held firm. In the fourth inning, Penn College broke through, scoring five runs, highlighted by a single from Payton Crawford and contributions from Astyn Calaman and Taylor Brown, along with a double by Harley Kunes. Sam Shaw's single drove in two more runs, followed by a groundout by Sofia Mileto that allowed another run to score, giving Penn College a 5-0 lead after four innings.
The fifth inning saw Penn College extend its lead with two more runs, including a single by Ryleigh Rinker and a throwing error that allowed another run to cross. Carissa Lusk's single capped the scoring for that inning, making it 7-0. In the sixth inning, Harley Kunes doubled to left center, driving in both Taylor Brown and Astyn Calaman, concluding the game at 9-0 in favor of Penn College.
Mallory Johnson pitched a complete game for Berks, allowing nine earned runs on 15 hits with one strikeout and two walks over 5 1/3 innings, bringing her season record to 1-7.
In the second game, Penn State Berks started strong with two runs in the first inning.
Samantha Harple singled to center field, and after a fielding error allowed
Emma Infantino to reach base,
Natasha Hornung's single brought Harple home.
Anna Laughlin grounded out, bringing Infantino home for an unearned run, putting Berks ahead 2-0.
However, Penn College responded in the third inning, scoring two runs due to a fielding error and a triple by Sofia Mileto, evening the score at 2-2. The game remained tied until the seventh inning when Taylor Brown's single allowed Payton Crawford to score the decisive run after advancing to third on a passed ball, resulting in a final score of 3-2 in favor of Penn College.
Samantha Harple led Berks offensively with two hits and one run scored, while
Natasha Hornung added one hit and one RBI.
Maura Gorman pitched a strong game, throwing 6 2/3 innings and striking out two batters despite allowing nine hits and three runs, with only two being earned. Gorman's record now stands at 1-1 for the season.
WHO'S NEXT
Berks will face Albright College on Tuesday, April 14, in Reading, Pennsylvania, with the game set for a 3 p.m. start.
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