DUBOIS, Pa. - New Kensington softball dropped both games of their doubleheader with Penn State DuBois on Thursday afternoon in their first game of the season.

Conference play began with Penn State DuBois scoring two runs in the first, adding another in the second. They continued to score through the third with four more runs and added a final run in the fifth. New Kensington contributed two hits on the game but was unable to record a run. Penn State DuBois finished on top 8-0.

In game two, Penn State DuBois ran across twice in the first and added five more runs in the second. New Kensington managed to respond in the third with four runs coming within three points. DuBois scored once in each of the last two innings to finish with the 12-4 win.

Game 1

Freshman Marissa Bruns (Gibsonburg, Ohio / Gibsonburg) started in the circle for New Kensington, throwing 4.1 innings. She gave up eight runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out one.

Molly Collins (Verona, Pa. / Riverview) singled to centerfield in the top of the second and managed to steal second before the final out of the inning left her on base. Penn State DuBois had their most efficient inning in the third when they recorded four runs to bring the score to 7-0. They would score once more in the fifth to finish the game with the 8-0 win.

Game 2

Andrea Eiler (Eau Claire, Pa. / Moniteau) got the start for New Kensington throwing three innings and allowing 11 runs on 12 hits. Eiler walked one and struck out two. Illeana Ramirez (Locke, N.Y. / Moravia Central) entered the game and threw 1.2 innings. The freshman gave up one run on one hit, walking one and striking out two.

Penn State DuBois got the upper hand with two early runs followed by a powerful second inning to put the score at 7-0.

Penn State New Kensington came alive in the top of the third when Ashley Encarnacion (New York, N.Y. / Women's Academy of Excellence) singled to get on base followed by a Lianna Gonzalez (New York, N.Y. / Manhattan Hunter Science) single to put runners on first and second.

Marissa Bruns then blasted a single to second base to load the bases for New Kensington. The women ran across on single to center field that left the bases loaded. Molly Collins entered the batter's box and doubled to center field to drive in two more runs and finish the explosive inning strong. DuBois scored three runs of their own followed by one in each of the final two innings to finish with the 12-4 win.

"I mean even though it's the beginning of the season we might lose a couple of games but we come out better," said Molly Collins. "Every single game we get better and better with each other and we learn everybody, how they play and all that, so we just kind of mesh better I guess you could say."

The women will take on Penn State Greater Allegheny in a doubleheader at home on Tuesday in their home opener. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. 

Written by Matt Heavner, PSNK Athletics Communications Intern