MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team split their first two games of the 2025 campaign against United States Coast Guard Academy and Brooklyn College in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sunday, March 9. The Lions fell to Coast Guard 8-1 in the season opener before earning a 9-0 win over Brooklyn.
 
GAME 1
Coast Guard (1-0) didn't waste any time in the bottom of the first, as the squad tallied three runs thanks in part to a single into right field from Lauren Ragonese that sent two Bears to home plate. The Bears and Lions (0-1) traded 1-2-3 innings in the second before Coast Guard recorded another run off a Ragonese single to go up by four.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Kierstyn Smith came in for Carissa Yeagar in the circle for Penn State Harrisburg and the Bears went on to double their scoring in the back half of the game, ending with eight total runs. The Lions, however, saw their lone run come in the fifth frame when Olivia Herncane sent a single into center field which allowed Sierra Sims to cross the plate.
 
Sims, Herncane, Cara Biesecker, and Mackenzie Fisher all recorded one hit apiece, while Herncane chipped in an RBI. On the mound, Yeagar and Smith both threw three innings and together totaled five strikeouts. Coast Guard's Dana Walker earned the win, pitching the entire game and striking out six batters.
 
GAME 2
Penn State Harrisburg (1-1) quickly bounced back against Brooklyn (0-1) on Sunday afternoon and secured a 9-0 victory in the final contest of the day. Madisen Minney started things off for the Lions with a single that sent Madelyn Lehigh home before Rylee Martinez earned an RBI off her ground-out to second to put Penn State Harrisburg up 2-0 after the first inning.
 
In the top of the third, Minney scored off a Bulldogs fielding error and two frames later Lillian Feltenberger sent Smith and Martinez home off a single prior to Fisher adding a single of her own, bringing the score to 6-0.
 
The Lions kept the heat on Brooklyn, tallying three more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Jocelyn Bennett and Minney hit back-to-back singles to earn an RBI each, while Elaina Gates flied a sacrifice ball out to center field to score the ninth and final run of the game.  
 
NOTABLES
- Kylee Miller earned her first win of the season on the mound against Brooklyn, striking out 10 batters of 28 total faced through all seven innings.
- Minney tallied four hits and a pair of RBI in the second game on Sunday.
- Against the Bulldogs Ashley Elefante had three hits, while Fisher had two of her own.
- Feltenberger added a hit and two RBI in game two.
- Herncane had the lone RBI in the opener.
- In game one, Smith recorded three strikeouts and Yeagar had a pair as well.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions continue their time in South Carolina on Monday, March 10 as they go up against King's College (Pa.) at 9 a.m. and Immaculata at 11 a.m.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.