LYCOMING SOFTBALL SWEEPS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE DOUBLEHEADER

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Lycoming College softball team hosted FDU-Florham, Wednesday afternoon, for a Freedom Conference doubleheader. The Warriors extended their win streak to eight games with a sweep of the Devils. Lycoming needed eight innings to win the opening game, 5-4; and went on to win the nightcap 3-1. The Warriors push their record to 17-7-1 overall and 9-1 in the conference. The pair of victories also secures a spot in the Freedom Conference playoffs for Lycoming. FDU falls to 8-12 and 3-5 with the losses.

In game one, Lycoming got on the board first with a pair of runs in the third inning. Jackie Chestnut (Fr./Williamsport, PA; Williamsport) drove in both runs on a one-out single.

The Warriors’ lead was short-lived, however, as the Devils put up a four spot in the top of the fourth. FDU strung together four singles and a pair of walks to chase home four runs.

Lycoming showed their resiliency in the bottom of the seventh, plating two runners to knot the game at 4-4. Crystal Hampton (Jr./Catawissa, PA; Southern Columbia) led off the inning and reached on an error. Morgan Mantle (Fr./Jersey Shore, PA; Jersey Shore) followed with a pinch-hit single that moved Hampton to second. After a groundout to third base, Kathryn Viebrock (Fr./Fogelsville, PA; Northwestern Lehigh) walked to load the bases. Chestnut then walked, also, to tally her third RBI of the game and move the Warriors within one. A fielder’s choice left the bases loaded with two outs, but the Devils committed their second error of the inning to let the tying run score.

In the eighth inning, Katie Kresge (Jr./Lehighton, PA; Marian Catholic) led off with a single. Jen Shaffer (Jr./Waterville, PA; Jersey Shore) moved Kresge to second with a sacrifice and was safe herself on an error by the third baseman. The next Lycoming batter struck out and then a fielder’s choice erased Kresge at third leaving runners on first and second with two outs. Morgan Rudelitch (Fr./Lehighton, PA; Lehighton), however, played the role of the hero singling to right field to drive in the game-winning run.

Amanda Gery (So./Whitehall, PA; Whitehall) recorded the victory for the Warriors, pitching all eight innings. She scattered 10 hits in the game and allowed three earned runs while striking out nine. Gery is now 8-1 on the season with a 1.35 earned-run-average.

In game two, Lycoming got all the runs they would need in the first inning. Marianne Simpson (So./Camp Hill, PA; Camp Hill) walked to lead the game off, was sacrificed to second, and scored on an error on a ball hit by Jess Feerrar (Sr./Lock Haven, PA; Lock Haven). Feerrar then scored on a double by Chestnut to give the Warriors a 2-0 advantage.

In the sixth inning Lycoming tacked on an insurance run. Amy Curry (So./Fallentimber, PA; Moshannon Valley) got things started with a leadoff double. She advanced to third on a single by Jana Reitz (Fr./Waynesboro, PA; Waynesboro) and eventually scored on a groundout to the shortstop.

FDU got one run back in the seventh on doubles by Jen Ehrentraut and Lillian Hine, but could not complete the comeback.

Mantle notched her seventh win of the season, working seven innings on the mound. She allowed just three hits and one run while striking out three.

The Warriors take a break from conference competition on Friday when they travel to Elizabethtown College. The first pitch is set for noon.

COLLEGIATE SOFTBALL
Game 1

WP – Amanda Gery (8-1) LP – Brittany Bode

Game 2