Penn State New Kensington Softball (6-6, 5-1) picked up another pair of wins at Wolfpack Park on Wednesday afternoon against Penn State Greater Allegheny (2-7, 0-2), 7-2 and 5-1.
PSNK Softball had two stellar performances in the pitching circle by Tarra Oravec and Jenna Swank. Oravec was able to keep the Greater Allegheny bats at bay until the sixth inning of game one. Kelli Hall gave PSGA life by driving in Ashley Lowenstein with a triple to deep left field before eventually scoring two batters later via a fielder's choice. Nichole Metzler was awarded the RBI during that play.
At this juncture in game one New Kensington had already built up five runs of their own. In the first inning Jessica George reached second on a double in the gap between left and center field and advanced to third on a passed ball. Oravec was able to hit her in with and easy single through the infield.
The second inning proved to be the most productive for PSNK as they were able to rack up three runs. Sarah Kutchko reached base on a walk and was advanced to second via a sacrifice bunt by Leigh Hastings. Penn State Greater Allegheny pitcher, Sam Segiel, eventually walked the bases full with Jordan Miller and Bridget Fisher both getting a free pass which left no room for George on base. Another Segiel walk (issued to George) gave PSNK a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the second with two outs. A passed ball by PSGA catcher Sydney Harris allowed Miller to score from third and both Fisher and George to advance. Rachel Lojas then capped off the second inning scoring with a RBI single.
Katie Colbert tacked on another run for PSNK in the fifth inning with a RBI single that scored Sabrina Johns from third. Johns reached base on an error.
Penn State New Kensington put up two more runs in what proved to be their final inning in the batters box by Oravec driving in herself and George with a two-run homer.
In game two of the doubleheader Jenna Swank kept PSNK in the game with a great performance in the pitching circle. Swank only gave up five hits and one earned run while striking out six batters.
The game was deadlocked at 1-1 until the bottom of the fifth inning where Jessica George was able to score on a wild pitch from third base to give PSNK what eventually became the game winning run. New Kensington had the opportunity to extend their lead in the fifth with runners on the corners and one out, but Head Coach Mike Marsili had the hit and run in effect when Swank flew out to right field. Oravec was half way between first and second and was doubled off to end the inning.
In the final set of at bats on the day for New Kensington, the ladies were able to put together another solid three-run inning to give the game it's final score, 5-1. Hastings scored from third when Nichole Metzler mishandled the ball hit to her by Jessica George that kept the bases loaded for PSNK. Lojas had a two RBI single that scored Fisher and Colbert from second and third respectively.
Penn State New Kensington will be back in action this weekend as they take and Eastern Pennsylvania trip to face a pair of PSUAC foes in Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Worthington Scranton. PSNK will square off against Penn State Hazleton on Saturday, April 13th at 2 p.m. and Penn State Worthington Scranton on Sunday, April 14th at 12 p.m.
