LANCASTER, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team split a pair of games at Lancaster Bible for a United East conference matchup on Saturday afternoon, April 20. The Lions swiped the opener 7-2 before the Chargers earned a come-from-behind victory in game two 7-5. 

GAME 1

Lancaster Bible (12-18, 4-9 United East) got on the board early in the bottom of the first inning before the Lions tied the game 1-1 thanks to single from Cara Biesecker that scored Lauren Hess. Two batters later, Liv Herncane hit a sacrifice fly into left field which allowed Penn State Harrisburg (22-9, 11-4 United East) to get up by one going into the fourth frame. 

The Chargers' Riley Danko attempted to get things going for the home team in the bottom of the fourth when she doubled and locked the game up once again 2-2. But it was all Penn State Harrisburg in the final inning of the opener, as they impressively scored five runs off four hits to secure the victory. With a bases loaded situation, Aspen Walker earned a walk and Sierra Sims did the same a batter later. Kristen Smith singled into right field to send Walker home and the last run of the contest was tallied thanks to Emily Cutman's bunt single.

Mackenzie Sawdey the entire game in the circle for the Lions, as she recorded her 14th win of the season and struck out five batters. 

GAME 2

Penn State Harrisburg started off strong in the beginning of game two, with Herncane hitting a two-run single to put the Lions ahead early. Sims followed up with a single of her own in the same inning to bring the score to 3-0 in favor of the Blue & White. The Lions continued to put the pressure on the Chargers when Smith and Gates both singled to two runners home. 

Although Lancaster Bible was down by five runs going into the fourth inning, they quickly turned things around and scored seven in the last three frames to record the game two win. 

Carissa Yeager spent the most time on the mound for the Blue & White, she pitched four innings and struck out a pair of batters. Smith saw limited time in the fifth inning, while Sawdey finished out the last inning and a half. 

NOTABLES

- Both Madelyn Lehigh and Cara Biesecker went for 2-for-3 in the opener, while Biesecker added a double. 

- Biesecker, Walker, Herncane, Sims, and Cutman all recorded an RBI in game one. 

- Smith added a pair of RBI thanks to a single in the opener. 

- Sawdey pitched the whole of game one against the Chargers and she tallied her 14th win of the season and struck out five batters. 

- Walker went 3-for-4 in game two and had two doubles. 

- Herncane went 2-for-4 in the finale and ran in two runs. 

- Smith, Sims, and Elaina Gates all tallied a RBI during the second contest. 

- Yeager pitched four innings in the finale against Lancaster Bible and struck out a pair of batters. 

HISTORY MADE

Lehigh became the program's all-time hits leader with her 172nd hit of her career. The Harrisburg, Pa. native has accomplished this feat in just her junior season.  

WHO'S NEXT?  

The Lions host non-conference opponent Messiah on Monday, April 22 for their Mental Health Awareness doubleheader. The first game begins at 3 p.m., with the second contest to follow. 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.