MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's softball team celebrated Senior Day with a convincing doubleheader sweep of United East foe Gallaudet on Saturday afternoon, April 18. The Lions rolled to a 15-1, five-inning victory in the first game before closing it out with an 8-0 shutout in six innings in the nightcap.


GAME 1
Kierstyn Smith allowed just one hit and Penn State Harrisburg (17-8, 7-4 United East) used a 10-run first inning to set the tone in the first of two comfortable wins on Saturday. Rylee Martinez finished a home run shy of the cycle and drove in five runs, while Madisen Minney scored three runs and drove in three more.


The Lions used seven hits, including three triples and a pair of doubles, to put up 10 runs in the bottom of the opening frame. Lauren Maguire and Martinez doubled, while Martinez added a triple in the stanza, as did Sierra Sims and Minney. Smith retired the Bison (6-18, 0-10 United East) in the top of the ensuing frame and never looked back.


Martinez singled home three more runs in the third and a base knock from Sims tacked on another run in the frame. Jocelyn Bennett capped the scoring for Penn State Harrisburg later in the inning with an RBI single that drove in Aspen Walker. Gallaudet finally got on the board with a lone run in the top of the fifth but Smith got a swinging strikeout to thwart any comeback effort and end the contest.


GAME 2
Penn State Harrisburg (18-8, 8-4 United East) put up crooked numbers in three separate innings en route a shutout victory in Saturday's nightcap.


Kylee Miller and Allyson Leidy combined to throw a six-inning, no-hitter, while Lillian Feltenberger and Ashley Elefante drove in two runs apiece.


The Lions jumped out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a passed ball that allowed Mackenzie Fisher to score after a leadoff walk before Feltengerger doubled the advantage by smashing a solo home run with two away.


Miller retired the Bison (6-19, 0-11 United East) in order by striking out the side in the top of the second and Penn State Harrisburg tacked on another run in the third when Feltenberger singled to drive in Aleisa Rowe and push the lead to three.


Fisher manufactured a run by herself in the bottom of the fifth after walking, stealing second and scoring on a pair of throwing errors and a third Gallaudet miscue allowed Martinez to score from third to make it 5-0. After Leidy worked around a leadoff walk in the sixth, the Lions ended the game early thanks to a three-run bottom half. Elefante drove in a pair with a single before ending the game herself when she scored on a wild pitch.


NOTABLES
- The Lions racked up five extra-base hits in the opener, including three triples and two doubles.
- Smith earned the game one win after allowing just one run on one hit and striking out four in five innings thrown.
- Martinez went 3-for-4 with a triple, a double, five RBIs, and a pair of runs scored in the first game.
- Minney was 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs, and three runs scored in game one.
- Walker, Sims, and Bennett each had multi-hit opening contests.
- Miller and Leidy combined to throw a six-inning no-hitter in game two. Miller struck out seven and did not allow a base runner. Leidy struck out four.
- Feltenberger finished 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in the nightcap.
- Sims went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the last game.
- Elefante drove in a pair of runs in the final contest.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions continue conference play when they travel to Notre Dame (Md.) for another United East doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon.


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