(MIDDLETOWN, Pa.) – Perennial powers Wilson and Penn State Harrisburg gathered for a United East softball twin bill on Wednesday afternoon. The Phoenix battled close and nearly pulled off a comeback in Game 1, while the Nittany Lions limited Wilson's chances at the plate in Game 2.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 3, Penn State Harrisburg 4
Game 2 – Wilson 1, Penn State Harrisburg 6
Venue: Pollock Field
Records: Wilson 14-9, 3-3 UE; Penn State Harrisburg 12-8, 4-2 UE
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Harrisburg struck first with a pair of runs in the first inning. A walk and a double set the groundwork for the first run to score on a groundout which was immediately followed with another base hit to left field.
- Two more runs followed in the bottom of the third as Harrisburg led off with a double and a walk. After a sacrifice bunt, another double plated both runners for the 4-0 Nittany Lions lead.
- The Wilson bats started to heat up in the next inning. Katelyn Keller (FY, Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg) provided a spark with a base hit down the right field line and stole second shortly after. After a fly out to right moved her to third, she scored on an infield single.
- The Phoenix proceeded to add a pair in the fifth. Abigail Evans (So., Muncy, Pa. / Warrior Run) walked and Rylee Piper (So., Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) doubled to left which allowed Evans' pinch runner Sydney Barker (FY, Bel Air, Md. / John Carroll) around to make it 4-2. Three batters later Keller hit a triple to right that scored Piper. Unfortunately, she was left stranded at third and the Phoenix were unable to get the tying run across.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Harrisburg got off to another fast start with two runs on three hits in the first inning and another in the second. Three more followed in the fourth to make it a 6-0 game. On the opposite side Wilson struggled at the plate, but eventually scored in the seventh. Sydney Hartle (FY, Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) led off with a double to center and eventually scored on consecutive ground outs by the next two batters.
Inside The Numbers
- Piper came on in relief in the opener and shut down the Nittany Lions with 3.2 innings of hitless ball in which she struck five.
- Keller's triple was her eighth of the season. She is second in the nation in total triples and lead the nation in triples per game. Her hit streak reached nine games after she went 3-for-3 in the opener before it ended in Game 2.
- Hartle's reached base streak is now a game shy of double figures. She went a combined 2-for-6 on the day with a run and an RBI.
Up Next
Senior Day is scheduled for Saturday as Wilson welcomes Rosemont in United East action.
