NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – Penn State New Kensington softball claimed their first victories of the season against Westmoreland County Community College, 12-1 and 7-6.
WCCC scored one in the top of the first during the first game, and New Kensington took over by two in the bottom of the inning. Teresa DeSimone (Spring Church, Pa.) made her way to third base after getting walked, stealing second, and advancing off of a single from Abigail Michelucci (Canonsburg, Pa.). Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa.) doubled to centerfield and DeSimone scored along with Michelucci. Zmenkowski then ran to third after Erika Finn (Upper Burrell, Pa.) grounded out, and scored with a single from Lauren Torgent (Brackenridge, Pa.).
From then on, New Kensington scored in every inning and never lost their lead. In the bottom of the second, Becca Wilhelm (Upper Burrell, Pa.) and DeSimone both scored for the Lions off of a single hit by Michelucci. The score was 5-1 heading into the third.
Hannah Berry (Leechburg, Pa.) got herself on base by singling to right field and Nicole Skokowski (Oil City, Pa.) doubled to center field, advancing Berry to third. They both ran in scores when Wilhelm doubled to center field. Wilhelm then advanced to third on a wild pitch, and ran to home after DeSimone singled. WCCC was down by seven moving into the fourth inning.
Once again, WCCC couldn't score on New Kensington in the top of the fourth. Finn singled and advanced to second on an error by WCCC. Torgent got to first after singling to left field, and with a single by Berry, Finn scored. Skokowski then doubled to center field and Torgent was also able to score. DeSimone singled to left field, allowing Berry to get a run. Skokowsi was last to score.
DeSimone, Zmenkowski, and Wilhelm all doubled during the game. Skokowski doubled twice. Michelucci pitched for the entire game and struck out 11.
The second game was neck and neck between the teams.
WCCC started off with run one in the first inning, and New Kensington did the same courtesy of Michelucci. With the score tied, WCCC was up to bat again. Neither teams scored in the second inning or had any hits. WCCC pulled to the front in the third inning, running in one. Heading into the fourth, the score was 2-1, WCCC.
New Kensington brought in runs again in the bottom of the fourth, two. With the pressure of two outs, Skokowski singled to center field and Brittney Wolford (Lower Burrell, Pa.) doubled. Wilhelm singled, bringing in both Skokowski and Wolford. WCCC tied the score in the top of the fifth, 4-4, but New Kensington scored themselves one to pull ahead. Zmenkowski scored once she singled to left field, advanced to third, and got ran in by Torgent's single to shortstop.
In the sixth inning, both teams ran in two. Skokowski got to first off of a single and scored after DeSimone tripled to center field. DeSimone also scored due to a single from Michelucci.
The score was tied once again in the last inning, and WCCC didn't score. With a last chance to win the game, Sami Grazioli (East Brady, Pa.), who pinch ran for Berry, scored.
Skokowski and Wolford doubled throughout the game, and DeSimone had a triple. Zmenkowski struck out five while pitching for 4.2 innings.
New Kensington has their next doubleheader on Friday, March 29 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The Lions will face off with Penn State Mont Alto.
Written by Janet Surma
