(ASTON, Pa.) – The softball season came to an end as Wilson dropped a pair of nail-biters in the United East Championship finals on Friday afternoon. Both contests were pitchers' duels and saw the No. 2 Phoenix have opportunities to walk off in the final frame, but No. 3 Penn was able to edge the Blue and White by a run while No. 4 Penn State Harrisburg took the elimination game in a low-scoring shutout.

The Basics

Scores: Game 1 – No. 2 Wilson 2, No. 3 Penn 3
Game 2 – No. 2 Wilson 0, No. 4 Penn State Harrisburg 2

Venue: Bruder Field

Records: Wilson 30-11-1, Penn 32-6, Penn State Harrisburg 25-13

How It Happened (Game 1)

• The Wildcats started out fast with three consecutive base hits to take a 2-0 lead in the first. The Phoenix were able to get answer with one run in the bottom of the inning. Kiera O'Brine (Jr., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) took a lead-off walk and moved to second on a Emily Randalls (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York) base hit. Sydney Hartle (So., Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) followed up with a base hit up the middle to score O'Brine, but Wilson left a pair on as the inning ended.
• Wilson eventually tied the game two innings later. Again it was the top of the order doing the work. Randalls led off with a walk and moved over on a sac bunt by Katelyn Keller (So., Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg). Hartle mirrored her at-bat from the first with a base hit up the middle to bring in Randalls.
• Penn regained the lead in the top of the sixth. The Phoenix had a chance to get out of a jam with runners on the corners and two outs, but an error allowed the go-ahead run in. Wilson was held without a base runner the rest of the way as the Wildcats took the game.

How It Happened (Game 2)

• Opportunities were few and far between for both teams in the elimination game. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, the Lions made the most of theirs on two occasions. The first of those came in the top of the fourth as Harrisburg led off with a base hit to right. After a walk and a fielder's choice put the Lions in scoring position, a sacrifice fly provided the game's first run.
• Wilson had a strong chance to answer in the bottom half. Keller led off with a bunt single and stole second, but Kayla Talbert (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) line out to center and Keller was doubled up on the play. Hartle and Caitlyn Oliviero (Jr., Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser) were both issued walks which resulted in pinch runner Brooke Leedy (So., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg) and Oliviero on second and third after a wild pitch before being stranded.
• The Lions added an insurance run as Aspen Walker homered to left in the sixth. The Phoenix didn't go down without a fight though. Talbert led off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit to left and moved to second on a sacrifice. Madison Briggs (Sr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) walked to get the winning run at the plate before being stranded.

Inside The Numbers

• Hartle had a multiple-hit game in the opener to lead the Wilson offense.
• Elena Worthington (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) pitched a fantastic game against a powerful Wildcats lineup. She allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits with four strikeouts. She finishes the year at 7-5.
• Julia Wilkes (So., Abingdon, Md. / John Carroll) was also stellar despite the decision. She allowed two runs on four hits and struck out six.
• The Phoenix finish the season with a program-best 30 wins.

Extra Recognition

• Talbert was honored during the tournament as the Elite 21 Award winner. The honor is given to the student-athlete who holds the highest GPA among the teams competing among the final four teams advancing to the conference tournament.