Penn College defeated Penn State Berks in a United East Conference softball doubleheader on April 11, taking both games at the Lumber Yards. The Wildcats won the first game with a 9-0 run-rule victory and followed it with a walk-off 3-2 win in the second game. With these results, Penn College improved to a conference record of 6-0 and an overall record of 21-3, while Penn State Berks fell to 4-6 in conference play and 6-14 overall.
The opening game saw Mackenzi Tice come close to pitching a perfect game, allowing only one walk and striking out eleven batters. The Wildcats’ offense surged with five runs in the fourth inning, two more in the fifth, and another pair in the sixth to end the contest early by run rule. Taylor Brown went three-for-four at bat, recording an RBI and scoring twice. Harley Kunes also contributed three hits and three RBIs, including delivering the two-run double that ended the game. Carissa Lusk and Alivia Bizzarri each added two hits for Penn College.
In game two, Penn State Berks took an early lead with two runs in the first inning before Penn College responded during their second time through the lineup. Carissa Lusk reached base on an error before Sofia Mileto hit a triple to bring her home; Payton Crawford then singled to score Mileto. The teams remained tied at two until Crawford’s third hit of the day set up Brown’s single for another walk-off win.
Mileto finished three-for-four at bat while Ryleigh Rinker collected two hits for Penn College. Bizzarri started as pitcher with three strikeouts before Tice entered as relief pitcher, earning her thirteenth win after six more strikeouts.
Looking ahead, Penn College is scheduled to host Penn State Brandywine on Sunday for a doubleheader rematch of last year’s United East Championship.
