(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The season continues for the Wilson softball team as it swept Penn State Berks in the second round of the United East Championship on Saturday afternoon. The No. 2 Phoenix jumped out to a big lead after three innings and held off a mid-game charge by the No. 7 Lions to win Game 1. Game 2 saw a dominant pitching performance by
Julia Wilkes (So., Abingodon, Md. / John Carroll) and
Elena Worthington (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) as the duo combined for a two-hit shutout in a mercy-ruled shortened game.
The sweep also had added significance for the Phoenix as they reached 30 wins for the first time in program history and set a new mark for most wins in a single season.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – No. 2 Wilson 8, No. 7 Penn State Berks 4
Game 2 – No. 2 Wilson 8, No. 7 Penn State Berks 0 (5 Innings)
Venue: Wilson Softball Field
Records: Wilson 30-9-1, Penn State Berks 10-21
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Kiera O'Brine (Jr., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) and Emily Randalls (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York) led off the bottom of the first with base hits and moved over on a wild pitch to set up the first run. Sydney Hartle (So., Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) hit a dribbler to third near the circle and a fielder's choice throw to home was off the mark which allowed O'Brine to score. O'Brine made it 2-0 in the second as she hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Samantha Rybacki (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg).
- Berks eventually got on the scoreboard in the top of the third, but Wilson answered with a five-spot in the bottom half. After a bunt single by Katelyn Keller (So., Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg), Hartle doubled to left to bring her around and make it 3-1. Kayla Talbert (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) singled to left and advanced to second on the relay before Madison Briggs (Sr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) doubled to left to make it 5-1. A sacrifice bunt by Caitlin Oliviero (Jr., Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser) later brought in Briggs and Rybacki scored after an infield error for a 7-1 lead.
- The Lions didn't go down quietly and roared back with three runs on four hits in the fourth. Wilson was able to get one of those runs back in the bottom half as Rybacki doubled to center to score Brooke Leedy (So., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg) pinch running for Briggs. The game was scoreless the rest of the way to put Wilson one game away from advancing.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The Phoenix started the second stanza in a similar way to the first and plated a pair of runs in the first inning. Hartle brought in the first run as Randalls scored on a groundout. Talbert then hit in Keller with a double to center. Two innings later, Hartle doubled in Randalls for a 3-0 lead.
- The flood gates busted open in the bottom of the fourth. O'Brine sparked the rally with a two RBI triple to right that plated Addison Woods (FY, North East, Md. / Tome School) and Oliviero. After Randalls walked, Keller belted them both home with a liner up the middle. Hartled followed up with a double to right to score Keller and put the score at 8-0. Worthington, who entered the game in relief with two outs in the fourth, retired the side to record the save.
Inside The Numbers
- Worthington had an excellent day in the circle as she recorded the win in Game 1 to improve to 7-4 before notching her third save of the year in Game 2. She allowed just one run on the day which came in Game 1 on five hits and a walk. In total she struck out four and allowed just six hits in 7.1 innings of work.
- Wilkes laid the groundwork in the circle in Game 2 and recorded the win as she allowed just one hit of scoreless softball with 3.2 innings of work to improve to 9.1.
- Randalls was nearly perfect at the plate as she went a combined 5-for-6. She added a walk which helped her score three runs, all of which came in Game 2.
- Keller posted a 4-for-7 day with two multiple hit games. She scored three runs and added two RBIs.
- This was the first time Wilson defeated Berks since a 1-0 decision in 2017. It's the first sweep of Berks since 2012.
Up Next
Wilson advances to the four-team double elimination tournament finals hosted by Penn State Brandywine. The Phoenix will square off against No. 3 Penn in the second game on Friday at noon.
