DUBOIS, Pa. – Penn State New Kensington softball came close to two wins against Penn State Dubois, 13-7 and 7-6.

In the first game, New Kensington scored two runs in the top of the first. Soon after, DuBois doubled their runs, four, and pulled to the front.

New Kensington responded back with four more runs, making the score 6-4 heading into the bottom of the second. Once again, DuBois scored big with seven runs. They regained their lead, 11-6.

DuBois ran in one in the bottom of the third, and the score remained steady at 12-6 moving into the top of the fifth. New Kensington didn't bring in any runs during the inning, but DuBois scored one.

New Kensington ran in one in the top of the sixth, but it wasn't enough to advance on DuBois.

Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa.), Abigail Michelucci (Canonsburg, Pa.), and Becca Wilhelm (Upper Burrell, Pa.) each had two runs. Erika Finn (Upper Burrell, Pa.) scored one. Zmenkowski also had two RBIs, along with Hannah Berry (Leechburg, Pa.).

During the second game, the first two innings weren't looking good for New Kensington. DuBois was ahead 3-0 heading into the third, which is when New Kensington began bringing in runs. The Lions scored one in the third inning, but DuBois answered back with two more. The score was then 5-1.

New Kensington took over the lead in the top of the fifth. With five runs, New Kensington was up by one, 6-5.

DuBois was then up to bat, and regained their lead by running in two.

Zmenkowski, Michelucci, Finn, and Lauren Torgent (Brackenridge, Pa.) all scored one run for the Lions. Wilhem ran in two.

Finn had a double and three RBIs. Torgent had two, and Nicole Skokowski (Oil City, Pa.) had one, along with hitting a triple.

New Kensington and Westmoreland County Community College will faceoff on Tuesday, March 26. The games will take place at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Written by Janet Surma