McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Softball team (4-3, 2-0) got off to a hot start in conference play when they swept a doubleheader against Penn State DuBois on Friday winning by scores of 15-7 and 18-11. The offense hit the ball well all day long and helped contribute to both big wins on the day.
The offense came early and often for the PSUGA Softball team as they jumped out to an early 11-1 lead through the first two innings of play. DuBois would respond in the top of the third putting up two runs before Greater Allegheny scored two runs in the bottom of the third to push the lead to 13-3. DuBois would try to make a comeback with four runs in the top of the fourth before PSUGA finished the game scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to implement the 10-run rule and pick up the win.
Hailey Snyder (Connelsvilles, PA./Connelsville HS) continued her hot start to the season finishing 2-4 and driving in four of her teams 15 runs and Madison Kyle (Carnegie, PA./Carlynton) finished 1-3 with 3 RBI. Lacie Lautner (Pleasant Hills, PA./Thomas Jefferson) and Rachel Able (Patskla, OH./Watkins Memorial High School) each drove in two runs to finish out the day.
Lautner got hit around on the mound pitching a complete game, six innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out four. Lautner got the offensive support she needed on this day to move to 3-0 on the season. She has contributed three of her teams four wins and continues to dominate.
The offense just kept on coming for PSUGA in game two of the doubleheader when they picked up an 18-11 win. The offense put up three runs or more in each of the last four innings on their way to picking up the victory. Tara Love (Chandler, AZ./Campo Verde HS) picked up the win giving up 11 runs, seven earned, in five innings of work while walking four and striking out three.
Lautner had a big day going 2-2 and driving in four runs helping lead her offense to victory. Kyle and Ivy Mervis (Pittsburgh, PA./Allderdice HS) each picked up RBI. It was the offenses patience at the plate that helped in game two as they picked up 14 walks as a team on their way to a sweep of the doubleheader.
The two wins gets the softball team out to a great start in PSUAC play as they look to continue the late year success they saw a season ago. Last year they finished the season 11-9 in conference play and just missed the playoffs. After not having a team two seasons ago, the Softball team looks to continue to get better and better with hopes of making the playoffs in 2018.
The Softball team returns to action on Monday when they once again travel to Penn State DuBois to play a doubleheader. The action starts with game 1 at 2 p.m. followed by game 2 at around 4 p.m.
