BALTIMORE, Md. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team secured the doubleheader sweep over conference opponent Notre Dame (Md.) on Tuesday afternoon, April 21. The Lions earned a narrow 1-0 victory in the opener before Madisen Minney hit for the cycle to lead the way in a decisive 11-3 win in the nightcap.


Lauren Maguire went 3-for-4 in the first game, while Minney went 2-for-4 with an RBI. In the circle, Kylee Miller completed a full-game shutout, allowing only four hits while striking out five batters.


After four scoreless innings, Minney drove in the game's only run in the fifth frame, leading Penn State Harrisburg (19-8, 9-4 United East) to the win with a total of nine hits. The momentum shifted for the visitors when Maguire doubled down the left field line and was driven home by Minney's double into center, securing an RBI and the contest's lone run.


The remaining innings saw both squads knocked on the door of adding runs. In the top of the seventh, Emily Cutman and Megan Foltz had a single each, but both were left on base. Notre Dame of Maryland (9-16, 5-7 United East) left a pair of runners on base in their half of the seventh, which proved not enough to earn the game one victory.


Minney shined in the second game of the day, becoming the first player in program history to hit for the cycle. She drove in two runs and scored three more to spark the bats for Penn State Harrisburg (20-8, 10-4 UEC). Lillian Feltenberger went 3-for-4, while Maguire tallied a pair of RBIs. Anne Carter earned the win for the visitors, throwing four innings and striking out three batters.


In the first inning, Fisher scored after walking, driven in by a triple from Minney. Minney herself scored on an RBI single by Cutman before Aspen Walker scored on a walk, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of the Lions. The Gators (9-17, 5-8 UEC) answered with a run of their own, thanks to a double from Claire Smith that scored Julianna Leatherwood.


Both teams went scoreless in the second frame, but the Lions came alive in the top of the third. Walker and Feltenberger reached base, setting up Kierstyn Smith's RBI single. A key play occurred when Maguire doubled, scoring three more runs. The inning was capped by Minney's inside-the-park home run, extending Penn State Harrisburg's lead to 10-2.
The Gators added a run in the bottom of the third when Leatherwood hit an RBI single into left field. In the fourth frame, however, Sierra Sims was able to score on a fielding error, increasing the lead to 11-2. Notre Dame (Md.) managed to score one more run in the fifth and final inning, but the Lions maintained a strong defense throughout.


NOTABLES
- In the nightcap, Minney became the first player in program history to hit for the cycle. She went 4-for-4 and earned a trio of RBIs. In the first outing, she went 2-for-4 and had the lone RBI of the contest.
- Miller recorded her eighth win of the season in the circle, striking out five batters in the shutout.
- Maguire went 3-for-4 in the opener before tallying a pair of RBI in game two.
- Feltenberger went 3-for-4 in the second contest.
- Smith and Sims both added an RBI each in game two.
- Carter improved to 4-0 for the season in the circle, earning three strikeouts.
- Lexi Bureau threw for an inning in game two, striking out a batter.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions return home on Thursday afternoon for a conference doubleheader against Penn College at Courtney Pollock Memorial Field.


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