NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – New Kensington softball played two close games against Penn State Greater Allegheny Saturday. The visitors were able to leave with the first win, 4-1, but the second game went to New Kensington, 4-3. After this double header, New Kensington is 2-2 in the conference and 3-3 overall.

Game 1

There was a slow start to action in game one with neither team running home until Greater Allegheny scored one in the top of the sixth. The team scored three more in the following inning which brought the score to 4-0 with only the bottom of the seventh left to play.

Courtney Biswick (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) got on base for New Kensington with a single to left field and advanced to second when Andrea Eiler (Eau Claire, Pa./Moniteau) walked. Courtesy of a Tori Young (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) double, Biswick scored New Kensington's only run of the game that ended in a victory for Greater Allegheny, 4-1.

Young was 1-for-4 which accounted for a double and RBI.

Game 2

Greater Allegheny started off the game in the lead after running in all of its scores, three, during the top of the second. The score remained 3-0 until New Kensington was up to bat in the sixth and tied the game, 3-3.

Lauren Torgent (Tarentum, Pa./Highlands) was first on base after a single to left field. Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa./Fox Chapel) was next with a double which pushed Torgent to third. Torgent was able to score off a Natalie Heltebran (Irwin, Pa./Hempfield) single. Molly Collins (Verona, Pa./Riverview) reached first on an error by the visitor's short stop, and Zmenkowski ran home. Collins was third to score for New Kensington before the team reached its final out.

With an inning left to play, Greater Allegheny didn't gain any runs which left New Kensington to break the 3-3 tie.

Heltebran secured New Kensington's victory, 4-3, with a homerun.

Heltebran and Zmenkowski went 2-for-4. Heltebran added two RBI and a homer, while Zmenkowski doubled twice and struck out four batters.

Softball will travel to Penn State Mont Alto on Monday, Apr. 5 for its next set of games. The teams will take the field at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Written by Janet Surma