MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's softball team suffered a doubleheader loss to conference foe Penn College at Courtney Pollock Memorial Field on Thursday afternoon, April 23. The Lions dropped a narrow 2-1 decision in the opener before falling 7-5 in the nightcap.


In game one, Kylee Miller went all seven innings in the circle for the home team, recording six strikeouts. Kierstyn Smith went 2-for-3, while Rylee Martinez recorded the lone RBI of the contest for Penn State Harrisburg (20-9, 10-5 United East).


Lauren Maguire started things off strong for the Lions when she hit a single to shortstop in the first inning. Mackenzie Fisher followed with a walk, and Martinez drove in Fisher with a single to right field, giving the Lions an early 1-0 lead. Penn College (26-5, 11-2) quickly responded in the next inning as Ryleigh Rinker doubled and Harkey Kunes tripled to tie the game 1-1.


The contest remained scoreless through the next four innings, with both teams having limited offensive opportunities. Notably, Sierra Sims tripled in the fourth inning for the Lions but was left stranded on base.


In the final inning, the Wildcats capitalized on a defensive miscue, allowing Kunes to score. Penn State Harrisburg was unable to respond in the bottom half of the seven frame, despite a single from Megan Foltz.


Emily Cutman went 3-for-4 in the nightcap with an RBI, while Martinez and Smith added an RBI each. Lexi Bureau spent just over five innings in the circle for the Lions, earning a strikeout. Allyson Leidy threw for the last inning and struck out all three batters that she faced.


Despite an early 5-4 lead after two innings, the Lions were unsuccessful in holding off the visitors, who collected 12 hits over the course of the game.


The Wildcats got ahead in the first inning when Kunes doubled and brought in a trio of runs. Astyn Calaman added a single of her own, making it 4-0. The home team wasted no time and responded with a 3-run surge. With two outs against them, the Penn State Harrisburg's Cutman hit a single before Martinez and Aspen Walker drew walks. Thanks to a combination of wild pitches and passed balls, the trio of Lions' were able to cross home plate.


Although starting the bottom of the second down 4-3, the home team quickly turned the tides in their favor. Ashley Elefante was hit by a pitch, Maguire singled, and Cutman singled which led to the Lions gaining a 5-4 advantage.


The contest went through a scoring draught until the fifth inning when Penn College capitalized on a fielder's choice and a passed ball to score a pair of runs, reclaiming the lead 6-5. The visitors added another run in the sixth inning on a groundout, extending their lead to 7-5. Despite a strong last effort, Penn State Harrisburg was unable to score in the final innings to overcome the two-run deficit.


NOTABLES
- Cutman went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the nightcap.
- Miller threw the whole game for the Lions in the opener, striking out six batters.
- In game two, Aspen earned a pair of walks.
- Smith went 2-for-3 in both contests and added an RBI in game two.
- Martinez had a pair of RBIs across both games.
- Madisen Minney went 2-for-4 in the nightcap.
- Leidy struck out all three batters that she faced in the last inning of the second contest.


WHO'S NEXT?
Penn State Harrisburg has a quick turnaround as they face non-conference opponent Misericordia on Friday afternoon, April 24 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.