ASTON, Pa. - After falling to top-seeded Penn State Brandywine in the first game of the day, Penn State Harrisburg's softball team bounced back with a 2-0 shutout victory over No. 2 seed Wilson at Neumann on Friday evening to advance to the final day of the United East Championship Tournament.
Madisen Minney had a tow-hit day, tripling and scoring a run, while Aspen Walker belted a home run. Rylee Martinez provided the team's only other hit and added an RBI. Allyson Leidy and Kylee Miller were stout inside the circle, combining to allow just two hits, with Leidy earning the win and Miller earning the save.
Runs proved tough to come by but the Lions (25-13) broke through in the top of the fourth, with Minney leading off with single before Walker's walk moved her into scoring position. Minney advanced on a fielder's choice and finally scored thanks to a sac fly to center field by Martinez.
The Phoenix (30-11-1) threatened in the bottom half but Leidy worked out of trouble, inducing a double play and stranding a pair in scoring position to end the potential rally.
Walker came up clutch when she added an insurance run and doubled the advantage with one swing of the bat in the top of the sixth, swatted a two-out home run over the fence in left field to push the lead to 2-0 through five and a half.
Miller retired Wilson in order in the bottom of the sixth before stranding a pair of baserunners in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the shutout victory and send Penn State Harrisburg on to the final day of the conference championship tournament on Saturday.
NOTABLES
- Minney finished 2-for-3 with her ninth triple of the spring and a run scored.
- Walker hit her first home run of the season and walked once.
- Martinez drove in a run with a sac fly.
- Leidy earned her third win of the season inside the circle, allowing just one hit in four innings of action.
- Miller secured her second save of the spring, allowing just two baserunners three innings thrown.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions face Penn College on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The winner will advance to championship series of the United East Tournament.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
