READING, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team advanced to the final day of the United East Championship Tournament, defeating top-seeded Penn State Berks 9-2 in an elimination game after falling to Penn State Brandywine 6-2 in the opener at Hintz Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon, May 10.


The Lions out-hit Penn State Brandywine 13-to-9 but couldn't put up the big number needed to complete the comeback in the opener against the tournament's No. 2 seed. In game two, Penn State Harrisburg erased an early deficit before blowing it open in the middle innings to knock out the top seed and advance to the final day of competition on Sunday.


Penn State Berks (27-9) got on the board first in the nightcap, as the hometown Lions loaded the bases and capitalized off a fielding error to go up by one in the opening inning. Penn State Harrisburg (28-12) immediately answered when Carissa Yeagar sent a rocket single into left field that tied the game up 1-1 in the top of the second. With all of the bases occupied, Mackenzie Fisher earned a walk and Madelyn Lehigh hit a two-RBI single that sent three more runners home.


Although the visiting Lions went up 4-1 quickly, Penn State Berks had a one-run response thanks to a Penn State Harrisburg fielding error in the bottom half of the second frame. After a hometown pitching change, Aspen Walker opened up the third inning with a solo home run to center field that eventually led to a two-RBI single from Ashley Elefante to bring the score to 7-2.


Ava Allison and Lehigh tacked on one run apiece in the fourth and seventh innings, respectively, to give Penn State Harrisburg a comfortable 9-2 cushion until the conclusion of the game despite numerous efforts by the home team.


NOTABLES
- In the circle for game two, Yeagar went six innings and earned her eighth win of the season to improve to 8-3. Kierstyn Smith finished out the contest and secured the overall victory of Penn State Harrisburg.
- In game one, both Allison and Fisher went 3-for-4 against Penn State Brandywine.
- Walker went 2-for-3 in the nightcap, as she added a pair of runs, an RBI, and a home run.
- Lehigh and Elefante both had two RBI each against Penn State Berks.
- At the plate, Yeager went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
- Kylee Miller pitched in game one for the Lions and she struck out four batters through six innings. Penn State Brandywine's April Lewandowski earned the win in the circle and recorded nine strikeouts of her own.


WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg continues in the United East Championship Tournament on Sunday, May 11 at Penn State Berks as they face off against Penn College at 10 a.m. The winner of the first contest of the day will then vie for the championship title versus Penn State Brandywine.


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