McKeesport, Pa- The Greater Allegheny softball team opened its 2012 season with two double-headers over the weekend. After being swept by Carlow on Saturday- 11-1 in game 1, 14-0 in game 2- the Lady Lions bounced back to split a PSUAC double-header with Penn State Worthington Scranton. They won game 1 5-3, before falling 13-5 in game 2.
In the double-header with Carlow, freshman Taylor McCallister (Norwin, PA) went 2-4 with a double, and scored the lone GA run.
In game 1 against Worthington Scranton, Greater Allegheny got on the board right away in the first. Taylor McCallister doubled to left field and then advanced to third on a passed ball. Freshman Kelli Hall (McKeesport, PA) followed with an RBI single, putting GA up 1-0.
After two straight scoreless innings, Worthington Scranton tied the game in the top of the fourth with back-to-back hits to lead off the inning. Greater Allegheny struck back in their half of the inning when a double from Theresa Gionta (Mission Viejo, CA) plated sophomore Sydney McMullen (Trinity, PA), who had reached on a single.
GA would extend its lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs via a home run by sophomore Casey Naylor (South Allegheny, PA); they now led 4-1.
The teams exchanged runs in the sixth, and despite giving up a seventh inning run, GA starting pitcher, freshman Kristen Popp (McKeesport, PA), closed the door on a Worthington Scranton comeback- GA held on to win, 5-3.
Popp earned the win on the mound, giving up 3 runs on 9 hits, through her 7 innings of work. She would also strike out 5, while walking 3. Taylor McCallister, freshman Audra Besnak (Steel Valley, PA), and Theresa Gionta all had 2 hits. Casey Naylor led GA with 2 RBI's, both coming off her 2-run homer.
Game 2 did not go as well for Greater Allegheny, as they trailed 13-2 after the first three innings. GA would tack on three more runs in the game's last two innings, but still fell 13-5. Taylor McCallister again had 2 hits, while also driving in 2 runs.
Following the busy weekend, the Greater Allegheny softball team owns a 1-3 record overall, and is 1-1 in the PSUAC. They will return to the diamond next Saturday, April 7 for a home double-header against Carlow. First pitch is set for 12 PM.
