SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Softball split their doubleheader matchup with Penn State Hazleton in what was their first PSUAC conference matchup of the season.
Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 7, Penn State Hazleton 0
Following two scoreless innings for both teams, Jade Weiss (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) homered on the first play in the bottom of the third, granting Schuylkill an early 1-0 lead. Emma Crisswell (Williamstown, PA / Williams Valley High School) singled on the next play and advanced to third base following an error. Schuylkill scored their second run of the day as Alyssa Youst (Schuylkill Haven, PA / Blue Mountain High School) drove in a run for Crisswell.
Youst got things started for Schuylkill in the bottom of the fifth by singling on the first play of the inning. Morgan Kleckner (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and Youst advanced to second and third bases, respectively, following an error. Mackenzie Carl (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley High School) singled on the next play to bring home Kleckner and Youst, extending Schuylkill's lead to 3-0.
Tayla Jones (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) singled and stole second base on the next play, and Weiss followed suit a few plays later, singling and stealing second base, ultimately giving Schuylkill an additional two runs. Schuylkill scored their final run of the inning as Crisswell singled in a run for Weiss. Schuylkill finished the sixth inning with a total of five runs and five hits.
Crisswell finished a perfect 4-4 at bat with an RBI. Crisswell also went the distance on the mound, striking out 17 out of 25 batters faced.
Weiss finished 2-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Youst went 2-3 at bat with a double. Carl added two RBIs for Schuylkill.
Game Two: Penn State Hazleton 6, Penn State Schuylkill 5
A double at the top of the first gave Hazleton an early 1-0 lead. Hazleton scored their second run of the inning as a batter flew out to center field.
Hazleton took a 6-0 lead as six hits at the top of the second ultimately led to four runs. Following singles by Kleckner and Jones, Isabela Caruso (Gilbertsville, PA / Pope John Paul II High School) hit the third single of the second inning for Schuylkill while driving in a run for Kleckner. Schuylkill narrowed their deficit to 6-3 in the bottom of the fifth as Youst drove in two runs.
Carl stole home at the bottom of the sixth to bring Schuylkill within two. A single by Crisswell later in the frame gave Schuylkill their fifth run of the contest heading into the seventh inning. Schuylkill was unable to complete the comeback as Hazleton closed the game in seven innings.
Crisswell and Carl finished 3-4 at bat while Crisswell added an RBI. Youst led Schuylkill with two RBIs.
Schuylkill (8-4 overall, 1-1 PSUAC) will travel to Penn State Scranton on Sunday, March 24th for their next matchup.
