(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The rematch of last year's United East Championship final more than delivered as Wilson and Penn split a twin bill on Wednesday afternoon. The Phoenix opened the day with a win to snap the Wildcats' 10-game win streak, while the visitors held off the hosts in Game 2.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 4, Penn 1
Game 2 – Wilson 3, Penn 7
Venue: Wilson Softball Field
Records: Wilson 12-7, 1-1 UE; Penn 17-8, 3-1 UE
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The opener was a largely defensive contest with a scoreless game through the first three innings. Penn eventually struck first as a two-out single by Payton Crawford brought in Madison Herriman in the top of the fourth. The Phoenix were quick to answer as Carleigh Magers (FY, Mount Airy, Md. / Urbana) brought in Kiera O'Brine (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame. Magers scored on the next play after she took advantage of a fielding error in the outfield to give Wilson a 2-1 lead.
- The Wildcats threatened again by loading the bases with one out in the top of the fifth, but the Phoenix were able to get out of the jam with fielder's choices for the next two batters. Wilson was then able to extend its lead as Katelyn Keller (FY, Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg) smashed her fourth home run of the season and Madison Briggs (Jr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) hit in Kayla Talbert (So., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) who reached on a double to bring the score to 4-1.
- Penn was able to get runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings. Briggs' quick reflexes helped prevent a run scoring as she caught a lineout in the sixth. After getting runners on at first in second in the seventh, Rylee Piper (So., Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) was brought on in relief and forced the final to batters to pop up to preserve the win.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Wilson got the upper hand first with a run in the second inning. Talbert led off the frame with a double to left, and after moving over from a sacrifice bunt by Briggs, Sydney Hartle (FY, Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) hit a sharp liner to first base to bring her in.
- Penn started to rally in the fourth with a home run by Lexi Snyder to left center. It started a string of scoring in four consecutive innings. A Mackenzie Weaver double to right center scored two in the fifth, and a Harley Kunes sacrifice fly added another for a 4-1 lead in the sixth.
- The Phoenix mounted a comeback as Payton Kendall (Sr., McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road) led off the sixth with a single through the left side and scored on a triple by Keller to right. Keller later scored on a groundout by Briggs to make it 4-3. That was the closest Wilson could get as four hits and an error helped the Wildcats score three in the seventh to set the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Keller hit her fourth home run and sixth triple of the season. She has now scored in six consecutive games with nine runs over that stretch.
- Hartle went a combined 3-for-6 on the day. She was 2-for-3 in Game 2 which marked her sixth multiple-hit game of the season with five coming in the last eight games.
- Julia Wilkes (FY, Abingdon, Md. / John Carroll) was the winning pitcher in Game 1. She allowed the one run on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.
- After Wilkes left the game following a collision with Briggs on a bunt play, Elena Worthington (So., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) came on in relief and struck out two in 2.0 innings. Piper provided the final two outs for her third save of the year.
Up Next
The Phoenix are slated to head to the nation's capital to take on Gallaudet for a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch with the Bison is set for 3 p.m.
