North Myrtle Beach, SC- Penn State Harrisburg opened the 2017 softball season defeating John Jay College 16-0 in 5 innings and falling to Rhode Island College 3-2.

            It didn't take long for the Harrisburg offense to get going in game 1, as they erupted in the first inning against John Jay. Senior Kayla Seyfert (Lebanon, Pa/ Cedar Crest) lead off the inning with a double to left field. After Junior Erelle Sowers (Harleysvilla, Pa/ Souderton Area) drew a walk, Freshman Jessica Roelli (Zurich, Switzerland/ Sekundarschulhaus Seehalde) ripped a single up the middle, two plate the first two runs of the game. Freshman Dominique Emmett (S. Abington Township, Pa/ Abington Heights) followed with a double of her own to bring in a run. Junior Kristen Evans (Harrisburg Pa/ Dauphin County Technical) singled to bring in Emmett and put the Lions up 4-0.

            The Lions were right back at it in the second inning. After Senior Jenna Rupakus (New Milford, Pa/ Blue Ridge) drew a walk, Sowers tripled to right field. Junior Emily Parmer (Willow Street, Pa/ Solanco) singled to center to drive in Sowers. Parmer would then steal second base.

Later in the inning, singles from Emmett and Evans drove in runs and set the table for Sophomore Alli Hartman (Harrisburg, Pa/ Susquehanna Township). Hartman blasted a tripled to center field bringing in a run, making the scored 10-0.

            On the rubber, Senior Amanda Hartman (Fleetwood, Pa/ Oley Valley) settled in quickly controlling the Bloodhound's offensive attack. In the five innings of action, Hartman allowed only 2 hits while striking out 3 batters. Hartman was backed by a strong defense lead by shortstop Jenna Rupakus, who made an impressive over the shoulder catch ending the Bloodhounds attack in the fourth inning. Catcher Jessica Roelli also threw out a runner attempting to steal second base to end the third inning.

            The Lions bats continued to push the offensive attack plating six more runs over the final two innings, making the final score 16-0.

            Game 2 saw the Lions match up against Rhode Island College Anchorwomen. After falling behind by 1 in the top of the first inning, Penn State Harrisburg answered back. Seyfert lead off with single to the shortstop. Sophomore Carlee Gochenaur (Harrisburg, Pa/ Central Dauphin) bunted to move Seyfert into scoring position. Roelli ripped a double down the left field line to tie the game at 1.

            Harrisburg found themselves trailing 2-1 entering the third inning. Parmer drew a walk to lead off the inning. She then stole second base and advanced to third on the overthrow. Roelli drew a walk and Sophomore Nina Bruno (Hummelstown, Pa/ Central Dauphin East) pinch ran for her, who stole second base. Evans hit the next pitch toward the shortstop, and Bruno got into a rundown, allowing Parmer to score.

            The Lions defensively was lead by Ali Hartman. Hartman allowed 8 hits and 3 runs while stringing out 4 Anchorwomen. She was helped by Parmer in center field, who took a line hit drive away with an over the shoulder catch in the fifth inning.  

            After the lead off batter got hit by a pitch, a pair of seventh inning singles drove in a run for the Anchorwomen, and the Lions could not answer falling 3-2. Penn State Harrisburg will be in action tomorrow Sunday March 5 when they face SUNY Poly and Cedar Crest in Myrtle Beach.