SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Softball dropped both games to NCAA Division III opponent Penn State Altoona on Tuesday, losing the first matchup 13-3 and falling in the second contest 8-4.
Game One: Penn State Altoona 13, Penn State Schuylkill 3
A double at the top of the 1st inning started what would be a four-hit inning for Altoona which translated into four runs.
Meghan Stokes (Winchester, VA / John Hadley) began the bottom of the 1st inning with a double and went on to advance to third base off an Altoona error. A single by Kaely Walshaw (Dornsife, PA / Line Mountain) plays later drove in a Stokes run to bring Schuylkill within three heading into the 2nd inning.
Altoona remained hot, totaling 6 hits during the 2nd inning which ultimately led to 3 runs, giving them a 7-1 advantage. Schuylkill's defense was able to limit Altoona to just one hit and one run during the 3rd inning.
With Walshaw occupying second base at the bottom of the fourth, Cheyenne Whitehead (Coatesville, PA / Coatesville) homered, giving Schuylkill two runs and cutting their deficit to 7-3.
Two doubles to begin the 7th inning for Altoona extended their lead to 9-3. Two doubles later in the inning ultimately led to four runs for Altoona. Altoona went on to close out Schuylkill in seven.
Stokes led Schuylkill with 3 hits. Whitehead tallied a home run and 2 RBIs in the loss.
Game Two: Penn State Altoona 8, Penn State Schuylkill 4
A triple and an error at the top of the 4th inning gave Altoona the first run for either team in game two. After two outs to begin the top of the 5th inning, Altoona caught fire and connected on six consecutive singles. Altoona held a 6-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the 5th.
Schuylkill answered Altoona with a dominant 5th inning of their own. With bases loaded for Schuylkill following an Altoona error and singles by Morgan Kleckner (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg) and Cealinn McGroarty (New Boston, PA / Mahanoy), Mackenzie Carl (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley) singled, leading to two Schuylkill runs. Walshaw singled on the next play to load the bases back up for Schuylkill. A fly ball gave Schuylkill their final run of the drive, cutting their deficit to 6-3.
Two doubles and a single at the top of the 6th inning extended Altoona's lead to 8-3. An error at the bottom of the 6th inning gave Schuylkill their fourth run of the contest. Altoona went on to defeat Schuylkill in seven.
Carl finished 3-4 at bat and tallied 2 RBIs. McGroarty and Caitlyn Goggin (Alexandria, VA / Hayfield Secondary School) added two hits in the loss.
What's Next:
Schuylkill (13-11 overall, 6-4 PSUAC) will remain at home as they host PSUAC opponent Penn State New Kensington this Friday in a doubleheader matchup. The first pitch is at 2:00 p.m. followed by a 4:00 p.m. matchup.
