GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Softball split their doubleheader matchup with NCAA Division III opponent Gwynedd Mercy University
Four innings went by before Gwynedd Mercy secured the game's first run in the bottom of the fifth inning following a ground out. Gwynedd Mercy managed to add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth as a double to right field drove in the final two runs of the initial contest. Four different players hit singles for Schuylkill in the defeat.
Gwynedd Mercy was the first to score in the second contest as a single in the bottom of the first inning granted them their initial run. Following two early outs in the inning, Schuylkill caught fire at bat as Megan Marks (Lancaster, PA / Manheim Township High School), Tayla Jones (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School), and Cealinn McGroarty (New Boston, PA / Mahanoy Area High School) hit consecutive singles, leading to Schuylkill's first run of the contest. Gwynedd Mercy extended their lead to 2-1 following a double in the bottom of the third inning.
With Alyssa Youst (Schuylkill Haven, PA / Blue Mountain High School) positioned at second base in the top of the fifth inning after hitting a single and advancing earlier, Mackenzie Carl (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley High School) drove her home with a double, evening the score once again at 2-2.
Carl came up big once more in the top of the seventh with the score tied as she singled up the middle to drive in a run for McGroarty. Schuylkill took a 4-2 lead as a sacrifice by Emma Crisswell (Williamstown, PA / Williams Valley High School) brought Youst home. Two groundouts and a strikeout in the bottom of the seventh sealed Gwynedd Mercy's fate, giving Schuylkill the win.
Carl finished 3-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Also contributing RBIs were Crisswell and Caruso. Jones went 2-3 at bat while McGroarty also connected twice. Crisswell secured her pitching matchup, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing only one hit.
Schuylkill (22-12 overall, 11-7 PSUAC) will take on Penn State Brandywine on Friday, April 26th in what will be the opening round of the PSUAC playoffs.
