Myrtle Beach, SC – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Softball Team (1-1, 0-0) saw dominant pitching performances in their doubleheader on Tuesday in Myrtle Beach, SC. The two aces are back on the mound once again on Wednesday and are looking for the same success against Lackawanna College at 3 p.m. and USC Salakahatchie at 5 p.m.
Tara Love (Chandler, AZ/Campo Verede HS) was he first of the two pitchers to take the mound on Tuesday and sailed through the first four innings of her outing giving up just three hits. However, a three-run bottom of the fifth would give Cumberland County College the advantage they needed and PSUGA would fall 4-0. Love went the complete six innings giving up four runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out two.
In the second game, it was Lacie Lautner’s (Pleasant Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) turn to take the mound. She got 12 runs of support in the bottom half of the first and it was more than enough to propel her team to victory. Lautner finished the day throwing a complete game five innings of work giving up four runs on six hits while walking one and striking out seven.
While the offense didn’t do much in terms of hitting, they used a patient approach against Lincoln College in game two and worked 13 walks and got hit by four pitches. During their 12 run first inning rally, the only hit was recorded by Lautner who drove a two RBI triple down the left field line to get the offense rolling.
They will be looking for continued success on the mound today going up against two of their tougher opponents in Myrtle Beach. Lackawanna College enters the game after having played three games in one day on Tuesday. They had two blow out wins defeating Grand Rapids Community College 8-0 and Lincoln College 10-1. Their loss on the day came against USC Salkehatchie where they dropped a 7-3 contest. USC Salakahatchie was able to win both of their games yesterday defeating Lackawanna 7-3 and defeating Grand Rapids CC 11-1 in five innings.
The offense will look to provide some more offensive support for their two aces as they look to grab as many wins as they can here in Myrtle Beach before the start of the regular season. With a good young core of players, PSUGA has the chance to continue to grow game in and game out and continue to get better as the season goes on.
Game 1 of the day against Lackawanna College is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. while the second game against USC Salakahatchie is set to start at 5 p.m. Both games will be played at the Cal Ripken Baseball Experience.
