Softball Splits With Penn State New Kensington on Senior Day

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Rebecca Cooper (Malvern, PA / Phoenixville Area High School), Alivia Payne (Dover, PA / Northeastern High School), and Melanie Torrales (Allentown, PA / William Allen High School) were honored for Senior Day as Penn State Schuylkill split their doubleheader with Penn State New Kensington.

Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 7, Penn State New Kensington 0

Schuylkill started the bottom of the first inning strongly, with Jade Weiss (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) singling on the opening play and stealing second and third bases. Mackenzie Carl (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley High School) then singled up the middle, driving in Schuylkill's first run of the contest. Singles by Morgan Kleckner (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and Alyssa Youst (Schuylkill Haven, PA / Blue Mountain High School) set up an additional run for Schuylkill as a sacrifice fly by Kaely Walshaw (Dornsife, PA / Line Mountain High School) brought in their second run of the inning.

Emma Crisswell doubled to start the bottom of the second inning, later scoring following a single to right center by Weiss. Schuylkill extended their lead to 4-0 with a home run by Walshaw. Megan Marks (Lancaster, PA / Manheim Township High School) also hit a home run for Schuylkill, but it was later called back due to an error.

Schuylkill earned their fifth run of the contest in the bottom of the fourth inning as Youst walked with the bases loaded. Consecutive doubles by Carl and Kleckner in the bottom of the sixth inning led to two additional Schuylkill runs before closing out New Kensington in the top of the seventh inning.

Walshaw finished with a home run and two RBIs in the first contest. Kleckner and Carl each finished 3-4 at bat with a double and an RBI. Also hitting a double for Schuylkill was Crisswell, who won her pitching matchup on the mound, striking out seven batters.

Game Two: Penn State New Kensington 6, Penn State Schuylkill 5

New Kensington got off to a quick start in the second matchup as a home run with second and third bases occupied gave them an early 3-0 lead. New Kensington extended their lead to 4-0 in the top of the third following a double. Cooper was active on the defensive side of the ball, catching a hit ball at third base and hauling it over to first base to force a New Kensington out.

As Jade Weiss hit a single in the first play in the bottom of the third inning, Payne singled to right field, driving in Schuylkill's first run of the contest.

An error in the top of the fourth saw New Kensington's lead grow to 4-1. Isabella Caruso's (Gilbertsville, PA / Pope John Paul II High School) alertness from the catcher position forced multiple New Kensington outs, putting Schuylkill in position to capitalize on the offensive end.

Weiss advanced to third base following a double by Kleckner in the bottom of the fifth inning. Youst then singled to left field to bring in two runs and narrow Schuylkill's deficit to 5-3. A sacrifice in the top of the seventh inning gave New Kensington a 6-3 lead before they received their third out. With the ball in Schuylkill's court, Weiss singled. Weiss and Kleckner advanced to third and first bases, respectively, following an error. Kleckner then stole second base. Next at bat was Youst, who grounded out, pushing Weiss to home base. Walshaw then singled to bring Kleckner home, bringing Schuylkill within one run. Despite Schuylkill's efforts, New Kensington was able to force the third out of the inning and secure the win.

Youst, Kleckner, and Weiss all finished 2-4 at bat while Kleckner and Youst hit doubles. Payne and Cooper both hit singles while Payne recorded an RBI. Youst finished with three RBIs for Schuylkill.

Schuylkill (14-8 overall, 6-4 PSUAC) will play in their final home contest of the regular season on Sunday as they host Penn State Beaver.