WESTMINSTER, Md. – The McDaniel College softball team swept a doubleheader with Penn State Altoona on Wednesday from the Softball Park.
The Green Terror (6-11) used a six-run fourth inning to pull away from the Nittany Lions (10-10) in game one.
Game 1: McDaniel 7, Penn State Altoona 4
Sophomore
Ally McBride gave the Green Terror the lead with an RBI-single in the first inning to drive in senior
Ryan Smith. The Nittany Lions responded with a three-run third inning to take a 3-1 lead, adding a fourth run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-1.
The Green Terror countered with a six-run fourth inning to take a 7-4 lead in the opener. Junior
Riley Jackson started the scoring with a two-run single to score junior
Caitlin Boden and McBride. First-year
Emma McPherson scored on an error to tie the game at 4-4, and Jackson scored on an RBI-single from Smith to give McDaniel the lead. McBride added two insurance runs on a two-run single to drive in first-year
Erin Thayer and senior
Chloe Candeloro for the 7-4 lead. The Nittany Lions left three runners on base in the seventh inning to secure the win for the Green Terror.
McBride finished the opener with three hits in four at-bats with three RBIs. Smith had three hits, a run scored and an RBI from the leadoff spot while Jackson had a hit and two RBIs. Thayer also recorded a hit, an RBI and a run scored in the win.
McBride pitched a complete game in the circle, earning her first win of the season. She totaled seven strikeouts, five walks, three earned runs and 10 base hits.
Game 2: McDaniel 8, Penn State Altoona 5
Sophomore
Cameron Kelly starting the scoring in game two of the twin bill with a two-run single in the first inning that drove in Boden and senior
Sariah Guevara. First-year
Gianna Apostolakos scored in the second inning on a fielder's choice to give McDaniel a 3-0 lead.
Penn State Altoona answered with a three-run third inning to tie the game, scoring on a two-run double and an RBI-single. The Green Terror responded with a three-run frame in the bottom of the third, gaining a 4-3 lead on an RBI-double from McPherson. Apostolakos drove in McPherson on an RBI-ground out and first-year
Shiloh Wall stole home plate to make the score 6-3.
Kelly drilled an RBI-double into center field to score Gonzalez for a 7-3 lead in the fourth inning. Wall then added an RBI-single to drive in Kelly for a five-run cushion. The Nittany Lions connected on a two-run homer in the top of the seventh but McDaniel held on to win 8-5 and complete the sweep.
Kelly had a perfect day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. McPherson and Wall each finished game two with two hits, and RBI and a run scored while Guevara and Apostolakos each collected an RBI in the win.
Kelly earned her fourth win of the season in the circle, striking out two while walking seven and allowing five earned runs and six hits.
The Green Terror open Centennial Conference play on Saturday with a road doubleheader against Ursinus. First pitch is set for 1 pm from Collegeville, Pa.
