SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Softball split with PSUAC opponent Penn State New Kensington on Friday, winning 2-0 in the first matchup, and falling 9-4 in the second matchup.
Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 2, Penn State New Kensington 0
The first five innings in Friday's opening game was a defensive battle as neither defense relinquished any runs. With bases loaded for New Kensington at the top of the 6th inning, Kristina McConnell (Port Jefferson Station, NY / Comsewogue) came up with a huge catch to give New Kensington their third out of the inning.
Schuylkill came alive offensively during the 6th inning following two back-to-back singles by Meghan Stokes (Winchester, VA / John Hadley) and Cealinn McGroarty (New Boston, PA / Mahanoy), respectively. A double by Mackenzie Carl (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley) on the next play drove in runs for Stokes and McGroarty. Schuylkill went on to defeat New Kensington in seven.
Carl tallied a double to go with 2 RBIs. Kaely Walshaw (Dornsife, PA / Line Mountain) won her pitching matchup, allowing 0 runs.
Game Two: Penn State New Kensington 9, Penn State Schuylkill 4
A Walshaw double at the bottom of the 1st inning drove in a McGroarty run. New Kensington entered the scoring column for the first time during the 3rd inning on a single hit. With bases loaded later in the inning, New Kensington went on to pick up their second run of the contest and take the lead.
Following a run at the top of the 5th inning, New Kensington went on to total three during the next frame of action. Walshaw and Alyssa Youst (Schuylkill Haven, PA / Blue Mountain) drove In runs for Schuylkill at the bottom of the 6th to bring their deficit to 6-3.
A single and two walks at the top of the 7th inning gave New Kensington three total runs and extended their lead to 9-2. A Stokes double drove in a Melanie Torrales (Allentown, PA / William Allen) run at the bottom of the inning to bring Schuylkill within six. Schuylkill was unable to complete the comeback as New Kensington went on to close out Schuylkill in seven.
Stokes and Walshaw finished with two hits each for Schuylkill. Walshaw tallied 2 RBIs in the loss.
What's Next:
Schuylkill (14-12 overall, 7-5 PSUAC) will complete their home stretch this Sunday, as they host Penn State Fayette in what will be their Senior Day. The first matchup is at 12:00 p.m., followed by a 2:00 p.m. outing.
