Softball Drops Both Halves of Series Opener vs. Beaver

Tarentum, PA. - the Penn State Greater Allegheny Softball team (0-14, 0-14) had a spark early but wasn't able to carry it in their series-opening double header with Penn State Beaver (23-9). After scoring three runs in the first inning of the first game PSUGA was held off the board for the rest of the day Falling by scores of 18-3 and 11-0.

After a downpour caused a 45-minute delay to the start of the game Beaver came out hot putting up 11 runs in the top of the first in Game one. PSUGA would find a way to respond in the bottom of the first as their offense took advantage of the elements.

After Alyssa Guzzie (Pittsburgh, PA./Fox Chapel HS) drew a walk to start the inning Ivy Mervis (Pittsburgh, PA./Allderdice HS) woul bring her home with an RBI double to right-center getting PSUGA there first run of the game. Two batters later Holly George (Homer City, PA./Homer-Center HS) came to the plate with a runner on 3rd and one out.

She would deposit an 0-2 pitch over the right-field wall for her first collegiate home run and PSUGA cut the lead to 11-3. Tara Love (Chandler, AZ./Campo Verde HS) would add a single but back to back strikeouts would end the inning.

Beavers Vanessa Jackson would take over from there allowing only one other base runner for the rest of the game. Beaver enacted the 15 run mercy rule scoring four in the second and three in the third to pick up and 18-3 win in three innings.

George led the offense going 1-2 with two RBI and teammate Mervis added a 1-2 day with an RBI of her own. George got the start and gave up 18 runs, 14 earned, in her three innings of work.

After scoring three runs against the top team in the Penn State University Athletic Conference, PSUGA went into the second game looking to keep it going and try for their first win of the season.

However, they failed to get the bats going collecting just two hits in the game. Beaver was able to continue to hit the ball well scoring at least one run in every inning on their way to an 11-0 win.

Both of PSUGA's hits came from Mervis who went 2-2 with two singles. Her first hit came with one out in the bottom of the first and her second came with two outs in the bottom of the Third. PSUGA couldn't find away to bring her home and took the shutout loss. Love got the start pitching the complete five innings giving up 11 runs, nine earned, while walking four and striking out one.

PSUGA now moves to 0-14 on the season as the series shifts to Monaca, PA. On Saturday. PSUGA looks to try and play spoiler as Beaver comes down the playoff stretch.

Saturdays double header is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. with the second game following at 4 p.m. the games will be played at the Penn State Beaver softball field.